Australian transmission system operator Ausgrid has hired EnerNoc to manage its demand response programme.
EnerNoc in 2011 bought Energy Response, Australia’s largest demand response specialist for A$28m (US$26.3m), and it now considers Australia to be its second biggest market after the US.
It says its agreement with Ausgrid extends a pilot program started in 2012, and will allow commercial, institutional, and industrial customers to get payments for curtailing demand, and getting access to real-time energy data.
Ausgrid says it is conducting the Dynamic Peak Rebate project with the aim of developing demand side options as an alternative to investing in network infrastructure. Demand response is likely to be a key part of its next five-year investment plan which will go before market regulators.
Tim Healy, chairman and CEO of EnerNoc, said: “Although the majority of our current presence is in Western Australia, key contracts like this agreement with Ausgrid provide EnerNoc a solid foothold into the eastern states where rising electricity prices and a pressing need for grid optimization make demand response very attractive.”
