With climate change making summers hotter every year, people are relying more and more on their air conditioning systems to stay cool, which puts strain on the power grid. This is where the new Complete Energy Solutions (CES) program from SMUD is making a real difference.
Previously, only large companies in Sacramento have been able to participate in local initiatives to reduce power usage, but SMUD is changing the game with CES Automated Demand Response (ADR), a new thermostat regulation program aimed at small to medium-sized businesses to help them stay cool while also reducing strain on the power grid.
Expanding access
As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, SMUD is dedicated to eliminating carbon emissions and improving Sacramento air quality. By 2030, SMUD plans to remove 100% of the carbon emissions from its power supply, which is the most aggressive goal of any large utility in the United States.
To help manage the grid, SMUD created Power Direct to help businesses and property owners reduce their electricity usage in times of peak energy usage. Now small and midsize businesses can take advantage of an ADR program and receive financial incentives for setting up thermostat regulation in their spaces.
Set and forget
Power Direct helps business owners use energy more efficiently. By upgrading older thermostats to state-of-the-art smart thermostats provided by SMUD, companies can reduce their power usage during peak electricity demand events in exchange for a yearly financial incentive per thermostat upgraded — on top of the bottom-line benefits of reduced power usage. Business owners can cancel their participation after the first year or remain on the plan indefinitely.
The CES system is “set it and forget it,” with automatic participation in every event to reduce demand. “It's an upgrade to your system, because these thermostats we're installing are energy management systems, not just regular programmable thermostats," says Terry Palacios, program manager for complete energy solutions at SMUD. “You can access the controls from your phone and view usage charts to gain so much more control of your HVAC system. Without even really doing anything you're part of the solution, helping us reach that 2030 goal to go carbon free which is better for our community and the region.”
How it works
Smart thermostats automatically raise their temperatures during any designated high-power-demand event between June 1 and Sept. 30. This change strikes a balance between keeping temperatures comfortable and reducing overall demands on power infrastructure. Participants may opt out of two events per season and still receive a $20 incentive payment per thermostat when the season is over. Every upgraded thermostat will be worth a $125 incentive, and is accessible and programmable via mobile app.
The ADR system makes it effortless for business owners to participate and earn rewards. “During an event, the customer doesn't have to do anything because our contractors get them all set up when they join,” says Palacios. “We send an email letting customers know we're going to have an event later in the day. During the appointed times, the thermostat will raise the temperature by four degrees, then go right back to prior settings.”
Incentives for all
This new Advanced Thermostat Management initiative represents SMUD’s commitment to providing expanded opportunities for medium and small Sacramento businesses. “This is the first version of the CES program to let customers access energy efficiency, incentives, building electrification, gas-to-electric upgrades, and EV charger installation, on top of the Automated Demand Response program,” says Palacios. “Formerly, only larger commercial customers could enjoy these options, and now all business owners can, after filling out just one application.”
To participate in the CES ADR program, all small to medium-sized businesses owners need to do is call SMUD at 1-844-529-4084 for a free assessment and set up, including installation and training, or email ces@trccompanies.com.
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment.
