The Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority this summer approved an agreement with Virtual Peaker that will allow customers of OMPA members to be able to enroll in a demand response program.
Virtual Peaker is a software-based company designed to manage distributed energy resource programs for electric utilities.
“OMPA intends to work with Virtual Peaker to administer a demand response program that will help the Authority manage peak loads while offering incentives to customers who participate,” a story in OMPA’s Outlet newsletter noted.
The program would involve customers agreeing to allow their thermostat settings to be adjusted during peak events, which are typically called during the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Customers enrolled in the program would be notified of a peak event and then have their demand curtailed for no more than three hours. The customer can opt out of the program at any time.
Customers who participate in the program will receive a financial incentive at the time of enrollment and are then eligible for more incentives after following through on participation.
Smart thermostats eligible for the program include those manufactured by Google Nest, Honeywell, Emerson, Sensi and Ecobee Wi-Fi.
OMPA is a wholesale power entity owned by 42 municipal electric utilities located in 29 Oklahoma counties.
