Big energy users can earn $ by adjusting demand

Two energy-focused firms — one based in Canada, the other in Kentucky — are teaming up to offer their customers new ways to save on energy costs by taking advantage of smart-grid technologies.

Toronto-based ENBALA Power Networks and Fellon-McCord, headquartered in Louisville, will both work with clients in the PJM Independent System Operator (ISO) electricity distribution region to manage their energy demand and costs while easing loads on the area’s grid. The PJM ISO region is the largest integrated electricity market in the world, covering all or part of 13 states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.

Through the strategic partnership, ENBALA will connect commercial, industrial and other clients with large electricity demands to the smart grid and pay them to manage their energy assets to reduce or smooth loads on the grid when needed. Fellon-McCord will provide a range of services, including energy asset optimization, to enable better management of grid loads.

By automatically adjusting their use of large energy-consuming assets like rock-crushers, incinerators and industrial cold-storage units, customers can reduce their impact on the grid at times of peak stress without affecting their own business operations. They also earn payments whenever they do so.

“We are always looking for creative ways to reduce and manage energy costs for our clients, and this strategic partnership will help us do that,: said Andrew R. Fellon, president and CEO of Fellon-McCord.