$161 Million Earmarked for New Energy Efficiency and Grid Reliability Programs
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA December 7, 2021
Contacto de prensa de la MCE:
Jenna Tenney, Directora de Marketing y Comunicación
(925) 378-6747 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAFAEL y CONCORD, Calif. — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has just approved $150 million to fund a new statewide program, based on the success of MCE’s Peak FLEXmarket which will also receive $11 million for program implementation over the next two years.
MCE’s first-of-its-kind Peak FLEXmarket Program drives energy efficiency, decarbonization, and peak energy reduction by integrating a wide range of distributed energy technologies like smart thermostats, energy storage, and electric vehicle chargers. By offering a payment for measured hourly energy reductions when the grid needs it most, regardless of how it was achieved, the program ensures that incentives match the value of energy usage and that various solutions work together in a coordinated way.
"There's a lot of innovation here...I think it's really worth underscoring some of the things in this decision...are really cutting edge nationally…” said CPUC Commissioner Rechtschaffen during the voting meeting on December 2. “I want to extend my appreciation to Marin Clean Energy. Their FLEXmarket program forms the template for a good bit of what we did here and it shows the value of allowing them to implement these programs and do experimentation."
The Peak FLEXmarket Program invites energy efficiency and demand response providers — such as OhmConnect, CLEAResult, and Swell — to help homes and businesses rapidly reduce energy use during 4-9 p.m. summer high demand peaks to reduce electric grid congestion that can lead to blackouts. In exchange, MCE pays the providers for the verified energy savings during peak hours, with an added premium during periods of grid stress, which can be passed along to participants.
“As California’s first and longest operating community choice provider, we quickly launch creative, local programs to address California’s most pressing energy needs,” says Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE. “We’re thrilled that our Peak FLEXmarket Program can be used as a statewide model to help keep the lights on and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Peak FLEXmarket program is one of many ways MCE is increasing access to clean energy resources to reduce grid strain and reach California’s clean energy targets with both supply and demand side solutions. Learn more about MCE’s efforts to increase grid reliability aquí.
###
Acerca de la MCE: Como primer Programa de Agregación de Elección Comunitaria de California, MCE es una innovadora agencia pública sin ánimo de lucro que lleva marcando la pauta de la innovación energética en nuestras comunidades desde 2010. MCE ofrece energía más limpia a precios estables, reduciendo significativamente las emisiones de efecto invernadero relacionadas con la energía y permitiendo millones de dólares de reinversión en programas locales de energía. MCE es una entidad de servicio de carga que soporta una carga máxima de 1.200 MW. MCE proporciona servicio eléctrico y programas innovadores a más de 540.000 cuentas de clientes y a más de un millón de residentes y empresas en 36 comunidades miembro de cuatro condados del Área de la Bahía: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa y Solano. Para más información sobre MCE, visite mceEnergíaLimpia.orgo síganos en Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter y Instagram.
