How it Works
ECS’ PowerPay! California program pays businesses to conserve electricity for a few hours, if the need arises.
PowerPay! California helps electricity companies in California meet peak electricity demand and defer the need to build new peaking power plants.
1. Enrollment: If you want a face-to-face meeting, an ECS representative will come to your
location to explain the program, review your facility and estimate the payment to your
company. Alternatively, we can arrange a conference call to get started.
Eligibility requirements vary between regions; for an accurate estimate, contact an ECS
representative by calling 877-327-0032; or fill out the short Revenue $$$ Estimate form.
2. Metering: You should have an interval meter at your facility, previously installed by your
electric company. Your interval data will be reported to ECS for reduction verification.
3. Reduction Events: An Event can be called only on non-holiday weekdays, for a maximum
number of hours (which varies depending on your utility). Event season is May through
October in Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) territories.
Event season in Southern California Edison (SCE) territory will be 12 months (all year),
beginning Summer 2009.
4. Planning for a Reduction Event: You should put together a “Reduction Action Plan” that
outlines who in your company is responsible for making electric reductions in the instance that
an Event is called. Having a plan will ensure that you carry out your reductions in an orderly
manner with the full cooperation of your employees. ECS can help you set up your plan.
Potential reduction strategies include shutting off equipment or processes, pumps and fans,
turning off lighting, easing back on or shutting off air conditioning, and if applicable, utilizing
a generator. If you have an energy management system, reductions can be made from a
central location.
5. Notice of a Reduction Event: When an Event is called, the individuals identified as Event
contacts at your company will be notified by email, phone, text and/or fax. This notice is
provided on a day-ahead basis, giving you plenty of time to prepare.
When your Event contacts receive notice, they will implement your Reduction Action Plan, going
down the list of who in your company needs to be aware of the Event and what reduction
strategies are to be implemented.
6. During a Reduction Event: Your facility should have all reductions in effect 10 minutes
before the start of the Event. Make sure that staff is aware of the Event and does not turn
anything on or up that should remain off or reduced. If you have questions during the event,
contact ECS.
7. After the Reduction Event: You should maintain reductions until 5 minutes after the end of
the Event. At this point in time, you may return to your usual state of electric consumption.
8. Performance: Your performance is determined by how much you reduce your electric demand
from a predetermined baseline. Your reduction is measured against your peak electric
demands from the prior year.
Your actual performance is compared to your kW commitment.
9. Payment: Your company will earn payment via a check for performing to your committed level
during Events.
Participation Payment * = fixed rate per kW committed
Event Payment * = fixed rate per kWh reduced during an Event
* For program details specific to your electric territory, call an ECS representative at 877-327-0032.
