Utility Partnerships

The Conservation Team works with state electric and natural gas utilities to identify construction projects that may be suitable for utility rebates. These construction projects can be either a renovation of an existing building or a new building construction project.

During the design phase of projects, the Conservation Team works with the relevant utility companies to determine the incremental capital cost difference between a design that meets the state building code for energy efficiency and a design that exceeds the building code requirements.

DCAM and the utility company(s) then execute on agreement committing the utility to fund a portion of the incremental cost.

The Conservation Team has applied its experience with utility-funded design programs to work with agency staff to incorporate energy efficient measures into design, even if utility funding is not available.

Demand Response

This is an award-winning program that every large electricity-consuming facility should consider.  In essence, the facility commits to reduces electrical load on demand from the grid manager (ISO-New England).  If the facility can shed 100 kW (or more) within 30 minutes of notification, and maintain the shedding for a few hours, ISO-NE will pay for this grid security.  The shedding events normally coincide with the hottest days of the year.

DCAM has a contract in place with energy aggregators who will survey the facility for program potential, enroll the facility in the program, arrange for metering, and coach them in how to perform.  DCAM also maintains an expendable trust through which the earnings are passed back to the agencies that performed.  Earnings are distributed quarterly.  In its first two years the program earned over $500,000 for the facilities that participated.

For more information on ISO’s Demand Response, please go to: http://www.iso-ne.com/genrtion_resrcs/dr/index.html

To determine your potential to be a part of this program, email or call Jim Freeley at james.a.freeley@state.ma.us or 617-727-4030 ext 239.

Forward Capacity Market (FCM)

This is another ISO-New England program that is designed to support the future electrical needs of the region. What this means for our facilities is that the ISO will pay for reduction of that need, either by installation of energy efficient systems, use of co-generation, or use of renewable energy products. DCAM will register these type projects with the ISO on behalf of the facilities, and return the earnings to them via the expendable trust.

For more information on ISO’s FCM program, please go to: http://www.iso-ne.com/markets/othrmkts_data/fcm/index.html

While DCAM has some awareness of the type projects that would qualify, facilities may complete these projects on their own.  Let John Crisley (john.crisley@state.ma.us) know
if you have completed such a project, and he will try to get your project registered.