November 19, 2009 08:00 AM Eastern Time
EnergyConnect Exceeds 2009 Emergency Load Response
Expectations and Launches 2010 Enrollment
Over 250 Businesses Throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest Continue to Reduce Peak
Electricity Demand During Grid Emergencies
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EnergyConnect, Inc. (OTCBB:ECNG), a
leading provider of smart grid demand response services and technologies, today
announced that it has begun enrolling electricity consumers located in the midAtlantic and Midwest-based PJM market in its 2010 EventConnect ILR Program.
EventConnect ILR integrates into PJM’s Interruptible Load Response program
(ILR) which is designed to help ease the pressure on the nation’s largest electricity
grid during times of peak demand.
Last year alone, over 250 facilities in the PJM market area enrolled in
EnergyConnect's program that pays large energy users to be on standby to cut
back power in the event of a grid emergency. In tests conducted by PJM, the
EnergyConnect customer base significantly exceeded the committed load
reduction to the grid. The certified demand response capacity from the
EnergyConnect customer base was more than 200% over 2008 levels. In total, the
combined load drop from the EnergyConnect customer base is enough to offset
the generation output from a large coal plant or several natural gas peaking plants.
As the US considers comprehensive energy and climate legislation, the
importance of demand response is underscored. A recent discussion draft by
FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) outlines requirements for a
National Action Plan for Demand Response. The action plan seeks to identify
requirements to allow States to maximize the amount of demand response
resources and to design a national communication program that includes broadbased customer education and support.
“More efficient use of our existing electricity resources is putting money back in
customer's pockets while offsetting the need to turn to costly peaking plants to
meet demand,” said Kevin Evans, EnergyConnect’s President and Chief Executive
Officer. “We believe that FERC's commitment to a national action plan, combined
with the strong 2009 performance demonstrated by our growing customer base
will continue to drive participation in demand response offerings and position
EnergyConnect for further success in the coming year.”
In addition to EventConnect ILR, EnergyConnect offers flexible programs that pay
customers electing to reduce electrical consumption in times of peak demand
indicated by high wholesale market pricing. The company’s award winning
FlexConnect platform allows customers to quickly evaluate when to engage in
demand response through an easy to use, intuitive web interface.
The annual enrollment period for the 2010 EventConnect ILR program is currently
open. To learn more and register as a demand response resource, please visit:
www.energyconnectinc.com/ilr or call: 866.488.7642.
About EnergyConnect
EnergyConnect delivers industry leading Demand Response technologies and
services to commercial, educational and industrial consumers enabling them to
manage their use of electricity in response to market prices or regional power
shortages. The EnergyConnect technology platform provides a scalable, costeffective, clean technology to enhance the grid’s efficiency and reliability. For more
information about this leading edge technology or about investor relations, visit:
http://www.energyconnectinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements that may constitute “forward-looking”
statements. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such
differences that include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, the success of
new products in the marketplace, dependence upon third party vendors, and the
ability to obtain financing. By making these forward-looking statements, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or
changes after the date of this release.
Contacts
EnergyConnect, Inc.
Media:
Rich Quattrini, 408-340-7940
rquattrini@energyconnectinc.com
Investor Relations:
Andrew Warner, CFO, 408-898-4592