How it Works

ECS’ PowerPay! New York program pays businesses to conserve electricity for a few hours, if the need arises.

PowerPay! New York helps the NY Independent System Operator (NYISO) and electric utilities 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 877-711-5453; or fill out the short Revenue $$$ Estimate form.

2.  Metering:  You need an interval meter at your facility.  If you do not have one, an interval
     meter will be installed on-site, free of charge.  ECS will access your interval data for reduction
     verification.  In many cases, you will have the ability to log in and view your facility's interval
     demands, kWh usage, voltage levels, etc.

3.  Reduction Events:  An Event can be called only on non-holiday weekdays.  Historically, there
     has been an average of just 2 events per year, for a maximum of 4 hours each.

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 or shutting down 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 this 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 year prior, occurring between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

     Your actual performance is compared to your kW commitment.

9.  Payment:  Your company will earn payment via a check for performing to your committed
     electric reduction levels during Events.

    
     Participation Payment = fixed rate or percentage of auction price, per kW declared.  For
                                           qualified, larger facilities, or companies having facilities in multiple
                                           ECS markets, the percentage may increase.

     Event Payment = typically 80 - 90% of associated energy payments for actual kWh reduced
                                 during an Event.  In some cases this will be even higher (95 - 100%),
                                 depending on kW committed.