HECO works to double peak demand system
Hawaiian Electric Co. has teamed up with a California-based energy management company to help bulk up its peak power demand system.
HECO said yesterday it has entered an agreement with BluePoint Energy Inc. to help it more than double the amount of megawatts available in its direct-load programs, which allow the utility to remotely shut off power to subscribed users in times of heavy power demand.
The Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. subsidiary said it plans to have 30 megawatts of curtailable power available from commercial customers by 2011, up from its current 13 megawatts. Power emergencies are "relatively rare," said HECO spokesman Peter Rosegg, occurring two to three times a year, and participating commercial customers can save thousands on their monthly power bill.
"This enables us to get through a period where we are afraid we don't have enough energy," Rosegg said.
HECO and BluePoint -- a maker of energy control systems -- will collaborate to enroll participants in the commercial EnergyScout program, which currently has 15 customers.
Under the non-exclusive memorandum of understanding, BluePoint will identify and educate commercial and industrial customers about the program in return for customer-approved information about electric use.
HECO will continue to solely manage its residential EnergyScout segment, where power to customers' water heaters is turned off during a system emergency. HECO has installed 23,272 water heater switches for a total controlled load of 16 megawatts. Enrolled customers get $3 off their monthly electric bill.
Residential customers who would like to enroll in EnergyScout can call HECO at 947-6937. Commercial customers can call 543-4883.