ISO New England Introduces New Demand Response Software Solution
Holyoke, MA, May 23, 2003 - ISO New England Inc., operator of the region's bulk power system and wholesale power exchange, today announced the selection of ELUTIONS, Inc. to implement an Internet-based Communication System Open Solution (IBCS-OS) for New England's Demand Response Providers. ELUTIONS, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, is an international communications technology and energy management solutions company.
Based on an open architecture, the IBCS-OS allows Demand Response Providers and ISO New England to freely exchange necessary demand response data. Through this software, the ISO notifies providers of demand response events and receives data from providers on the amount of energy reduction achieved by customers. This two-way information flow will help facilitate the calculation of compensation to program participants.
ISO New England selected ELUTIONS Inc. after issuing its November 1, 2002 Request for Proposals (RFP), which sought an IBCS-OS for New England's demand response programs. Prior to selecting ELUTIONS, an extensive testing period was conducted to ensure that the software would function according to the criteria outlined in the RFP.
ISO New England's Demand Response Programs provide commercial and industrial users of electricity, including hotels, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets and office complexes, the opportunity to receive compensation for reducing electricity demand at times when the reliability of the system is at risk and during periods when wholesale electricity prices are high. At times of peak energy use, demand response provides ISO New England with an important short-term resource to help ensure bulk power system reliability, especially in areas with constrained transmission capability, such as southwest Connecticut and northwest Vermont .
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For more than five years, ISO New England Inc. has been the not-for-profit corporation responsible for the day-to-day reliable operation of New England's bulk generation and transmission systems with an installed capacity of approximately 31,000 megawatts. In addition to operating the bulk power grid, ISO New England is the administrator of the region's wholesale electricity marketplace and the Open Access Transmission Tariff on behalf of the New England Power Pool
