Ontario Power Authority

DR3 Demand Response Program

The Challenge

The Province of Ontario is challenged with an increasing demand for power and aging electricity infrastructure as well as generation cleanliness and environmental concerns. The Ontario Power Authority has created the Demand Response 3 (DR3) program as one of the solutions to these problems.

The Erie Thames Powerlines / CPower Partnership Is Your DR3 Opportunity                      

Keeping with our mission to help you, our customers, reduce your energy cost burden, Erie Thames Powerlines has partnered with CPower, a contracted aggregator to the OPA, to bring you turnkey demand response participation. Erie Thames Powerlines and CPower deliver a unique value proposition to clients through their combined strengths and experience in energy management and demand response delivery throughout Ontario.

Demand response is your facility’s ability to reduce electricity usage when the grid is overly stressed and help control prices system-wide. By participating, you act as an insurance policy for the grid. The OPA DR3 program calls on you, the electricity customer, to temporarily reduce your consumption when needed and pays you for your reductions. You will be paid by the OPA for being a stand-by resource and you will be paid even if you are never called to curtail. You should, however, expect to curtail when the grids needs you and when you do you will be paid an additional payment for your contribution.

About Program Participation

What does it cost me to participate?

There is no cost to you to participate. Our incentives are aligned – CPower’s revenue is a share of the total earnings – they only earn when you do. Erie Thames does not share in this revenue but your participation will help them meet their conservation and demand management goals and meet new Green Energy Act mandates. 

How much can I earn?

The OPA DR3 program is the most lucrative demand response program in North America. You select your maximum curtailment hours per year (100 or 200) and your number of contract years (1, 3, or 5). Please see the payment table on the reverse side for more detail. The payment structure is as follows:

·         Availability Payment:  Payment for being a stand-by resource if/when the grid needs you

·         Utilization Payment:             Payment per hour you respond if/when the grid calls

What are the risks of participating?

The OPA enforces a financial penalty on participants who do not meet at least 85% of their curtailment commitment. CPower works closely with so that you will meet your commitment every time and protects you from this risk if you don’t. In working with CPower, you will never be subjected to a financial penalty.

How many times will I be called to curtail and how long will I have to curtail?

Regardless of the total number of events called, you need only curtail up to the maximum number of hours you have chosen (100 or 200 per year) and for just 4 contiguous hours per event. If the grid calls for more than 4 hours of curtailment during any event, you may voluntarily curtail for those additional hours and you will be paid a higher Utilization Rate for every additional hour you curtail.

How will I know when to curtail?

We notify you by our automated notification system which is administered by our 24/7/365 Remote Operations Center (ROC). All of your designated employees will be notified through multiple channels, including e-mail and text message. Curtailment events will occur during the hours specified in the table on the reverse side.

OPA DR3 Payment Table (gross payment amounts)

Please download our DR3 borchure for the latest OPA DR3 Payment information.

About Erie Thames Powerlines and CPower

Erie Thames Powerlines

Erie Thames Powerlines launched in July 2000 in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, representing the amalgamation of seven Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) within the municipalities of Port Stanley, Aylmer, Belmont, Ingersoll, Thamesford, Otterville, Norwich, Burgessville, Beachville, Embro and Tavistock. We are a licensed distribution company (LDC) providing efficient delivery of electricity, billing and maintenance service to over 14,000 residential and commercial customers within our licensed boundaries.

About CPower

CPower is a leading energy management and demand response provider contracted by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to manage client enrollment and participation in the OPA Demand Response 3 (DR3) Program. CPower is one of the oldest and most experienced demand response providers in North America with clients spanning markets including commercial, industrial, retail and institutional.

Contact Us Today and Start Participating!

Erie Thames Contact

Jeff Quint

Conservation Officer

M. 519.808.0925

E. jquint@eriethamespowerlines.com

CPower Contacts

Michael Mindell            

General Manager, Ontario

T.  212.796.7103

M. 917.692.3430

E. michael.mindell@cpowered.com

Jim Sobota

Market Development and Program Manager, Ontario

M. 917.363.6481

E. jim.sobota@cpowered.com