Cooper helps PSE&G with demand response

PSE&G demand response program delivers 150 MW via Smart Grid upgrades, load control switches, programmable communicating thermostats, and Yukon platform control over VHF paging, optimizing A/C cycling to cut peak demand across the utility.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company PSE&G is looking to reduce demand by 150 megawatts, and they are hoping Cooper Power Systems can do it for them.

Cooper Power Systems, a division of Cooper Industries plc has entered into an agreement with PSE&G, as utilities such as Manitoba Hydro modernizing substations to strengthen the grid, to provide a demand response solution targeted to provide 150 MW of demand reduction.

PSE&G will upgrade existing load control switches with a retrofit board and begin installing programmable communicating thermostats PCT with a planned implementation of at least 200,000 devices, similar to a smart meter pilot that controls costs, controlling air conditioning A/C units throughout the utility’s service territory.

“Cooper Power Systems’ demonstrated their commitment to their customers when they fast-tracked a development solution to meet our immediate needs,” said John Veprek, program director at PSE&G. “Following a thorough evaluation of the available technologies including a smart grid pilot project example and taking into account our experience with different vendors, we were confident in Cooper Power Systems ability to continue to provide industry-leading technologies as we roll out our program.”

The planned implementation is for a four-year roll out and includes a hosted Yukon advanced energy services platform to control the devices using commercial VHF paging networks. The technology in the load control switches and PCTs learns the behavior of the A/C units and, like smart meters, helps utilities analyze usage in order to maximize demand relief during a control event.

“This win represents another significant utility endorsement of our demand response software and our ability to quickly respond to customer needs,” said Tom Pitstick, vice president and general manager of the Energy Automation Solutions division at Cooper Power Systems. “Because Cooper is a trusted provider of Smart Grid technology solutions, PSE&G selected our solution knowing we could quickly begin delivering their 150 MW demand response program with a proven solution and a proven Smart Grid.”

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