The Community Energy Savings: Smart Thermostat Program was launched by American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) in May 2023 as a subscription-based service. The goal of the program is to enable AMP members to combat increasing transmission and capacity charges by reducing their system peak demand through management of connected residential technologies, such as smart thermostats.
The subscription-based smart thermostat program uses a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) to manage enrolled Wi-Fi connected thermostats during summer peak demand events. AMP has partnered with a third-party DERMS provider to manage the platform.
The voluntary program makes it possible for electric customers of participating AMP members to enroll their eligible thermostats in the program and receive an incentive payment. In exchange, customers agree to a brief thermostat adjustment of up to four degrees during periods of high electric demand from May 1 through Sept. 30. The adjustments typically last no more than four hours.
When events are called, customers receive notification via their thermostat app and/or email. From there, they can choose to opt out of that specific event without penalty. Customers who participate and stay enrolled will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card at the end of each peaking season.
The goal of the Community Energy Savings: Smart Thermostat Program is to help AMP members engage with their customers to avoid transmission and capacity costs by reducing their summer retail customer load through management of connected technologies.
For more information, including how AMP members can enroll in the Smart Thermostat Program, contact Erin Miller, assistant vice president of energy policy and sustainability, at 614.540.1019 or [email protected] or Corey Hawkey, director of member programs and sustainability, at 614.540.6932 or [email protected].