Dive Summary:
- Austin Energy has completed its first successful demand response initiative using the Demand Response Optimization and Management System (DROMS) provided by AutoGrid Systems.
- Although the pilot combines only a small group of 60 smart thermostats and 15 ChargePoint electric vehicle (EV) chargers, it allows for various thermostat providers and devices to be integrated into the system, creating a unique platform that could prove vital as utilities seek to communicate with consumers' smart technologies.
- The AutoGrid’s open-architecture, hardware-neutral DROMS platform can currently work with at least 15 smart thermostats, Greentech Media reports. Austin Energy also tested the platform's ability to communicate with the ChargePoint EV chargers, which was successful.
From the article:
The integration of EV chargers as part of a residential demand response program is novel, but the pilot only tested that the communications between the utility and the charger was effective, which it was. Currently, Austin Energy does not offer an electric vehicle rate, so it is using the data from this pilot to understand how the utility can bring more EVs onto the grid in a way that works for the grid and for customers that need the car charged by a certain time.
“The purpose of controlling the EV charger was to simply test the communications capability,” said Russell Shaver, project manager at Austin Energy. “But we also wanted to obtain data to just see when load is available. At this point we don’t’ really have data as to when people are charging.” The EV pilot participants received a rebate for their home EV chargers in exchange for participating in pilots.
