CenterPoint Energy Aggregated Demand Response Program Guidelines

CenterPoint Energy Aggregated Demand Response Program 

Program Seasons

Year-round (June 1 - May 31)

• Summer: June - August
• Fall: September - November
• Winter: December - February
• Spring: March - May

Program Hours

24 hours, 7 days/week

Dispatch Notice

At least 2 hours before dispatch starts, with additional advance warnings when possible.

Dispatch Trigger

CenterPoint issues a dispatch when the systemwide demand approaches critical peak levels. To ensure a reliable and efficient power grid, your participation is vital.

Participation Options

Curtail or transfer electrical load to a back-up generator or qualified storage system. 

Enrollment Strategy

Enel will work with you to determine your site’s enrollment value based on the electrical load pattern at your facility, performance in your dispatch readiness test, and information regarding your site’s operations. Enel may adjust this value based upon dispatch performance history and other feedback.

Audit Requirements

A minimum of 1 audit per program year is required; and will be scheduled by the provider during weekday business hours.

Dispatch Timing & Duration

Emergency events are most likely to occur in late afternoon in summer and early morning in winter.

Baseline Definition

Baseline may differ between each season based on a facility’s operations.

• Peak Load Contribution (PLC). The PLC will be calculated by taking an average of the peak daily demand within the PLC hours on each of the PLC days
  • PLC Days: 5 business days prior to the seasonal MISO coincident  peak, the day of the MISO coincident peak, and the 5 business days after the seasonal MISO coincident peak.  
  • PLC Hours: For each of the PLC days, the PLC calculation will use the two hours prior to the seasonal MISO coincident peak hour, the hour of the seasonal MISO coincident peak, and the two hours after the seasonal MISO coincident peak hour.   

In the example below, the MISO coincident peak was Aug 26^th Hour 17, the PLC days are August 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, September 3, and PLC hours are daily hour 15-19

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There may also be different target levels to reach each season based on a facility's energy use.

• Firm Service Level (FSL): The kW level to which a facility should reduce during a dispatch, during each season based on capability.

Performance Measurement

CenterPoint measures performance during a dispatch by averaging the difference between your site’s demand and the baseline. Any minimum performance requirements are stated in your agreement.

Keys to Success:

1. Begin your energy reduction as soon as you can before the dispatch start time to ensure you are able to reach your contribution target on time.
2. Execute your full participation plan and verify that the equipment does not return to normal operational settings during the dispatch.

Payment Calculation

We calculate payment based on the average delivered kW across all dispatches in the program period, multiplied by the $/kW rate stated in your agreement. To achieve your full earning potential, be sure to maintain your energy reduction target throughout every dispatch in a season. Underperformance may result in reduced enrollment and earning potential for future seasons.