USING RED TO STAY IN THE GREEN

A curtailment plan to ace any load reduction program.

USING RED TO STAY IN THE GREEN
USING RED TO STAY IN THE GREEN USING RED TO STAY IN THE GREEN

USING RED TO STAY IN THE GREEN


A curtailment plan to ace any load reduction program.

GOAL

Earn money for flexible load with minimal disruption to operations.

RESULTS

Approximately $20K going back into the district's budget.

$20K earned annually*

Earning for reducing (H2 - M)

PROJECT

Monetizing flexible load by participating in demand response was nothing new for NRG’s customer, a central Texas independent school district (ISD). With a prototype for reducing-on-notice already in place, they wanted to extend this model across their deregulated locations to put money back into their district budget—with minimal disruption to their operations.

About (H3 - S)

The ISD, located in southern Williamson County and northwest Travis County, includes the City of Round Rock and portions of the City of Austin and the City of Cedar Park. The ISD’s footprint covers 110 square miles, encompassing high-tech manufacturing and urban retail centers, suburban neighborhoods, and farm and ranch land.

A split load (H4 - S)

The ISD, located in southern Williamson County and northwest Travis County, includes the City of Round Rock and portions of the City of Austin and the City of Cedar Park. The ISD’s footprint covers 110 square miles, encompassing high-tech manufacturing and urban retail centers, suburban neighborhoods, and farm and ranch land.

46,989

STUDENTS

7

HIGH SCHOOLS

11

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

35    

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

What works for one could work for all

Business case

The ISD had successfully been participating in demand response programs across its locations behind Austin Energy for more than 10 years. In doing this, they laid the groundwork for identifying and executing on load reductions when called upon.

 

They also have a building management system (BMS) that helps them track and control energy usage so they can execute load reductions during curtailment events at the appropriate level and at specific locations, while limiting disruptions to operations.

 

They wanted to replicate this same approach across their deregulated locations but needed a program that had the flexibility for them to curtail at their desired level without being penalized for not meeting a mandated threshold or declining to participate in specific events. They also needed an analysis to determine which locations would be the best fit for reductions, and at what levels, to maximize their participation.

What works for one could work for all

Business case

The ISD had successfully been participating in demand response programs across its locations behind Austin Energy for more than 10 years. In doing this, they laid the groundwork for identifying and executing on load reductions when called upon.

 

They also have a building management system (BMS) that helps them track and control energy usage so they can execute load reductions during curtailment events at the appropriate level and at specific locations, while limiting disruptions to operations.

 

They wanted to replicate this same approach across their deregulated locations but needed a program that had the flexibility for them to curtail at their desired level without being penalized for not meeting a mandated threshold or declining to participate in specific events. They also needed an analysis to determine which locations would be the best fit for reductions, and at what levels, to maximize their participation.

“RED provided the ideal opportunity to test-run additional load reduction across our district footprint, without the risk of penalty. NRG helped us devise a thoughtful plan that fit our reduction capabilities and gave us the tools to ensure successful performance.”

ISD Facilities Manager

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Some of those tools include advance event notifications to the ISD’s reduction team, along with special curtailment events that offered additional opportunities to reduce and earn.

 

The earnings for their participation in RED—about $20K annually—are paid out to the district in the form of a check.**  This allows the district to use the funds wherever they see fit.

* Earnings are based on 2024 earning values for participation.

**As standard, the RED program provides an annual bill credit for program earnings. Schools (only) have the additional benefit of choosing to receive their program earnings via check.

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