The Lansing Board of Water & Light, a Michigan public power utility, has launched a new demand response program called “Peak Power Partner” for its residential electric customers, it said on April 22.
The move is part of the utility’s ongoing decarbonization goals of being carbon neutral by 2040.
The demand response program allows eligible customers with certain brands and models of smart thermostats to reduce energy usage by allowing the BWL to slightly adjust the thermostat settings during “energy events.”
Customers who participate allow their thermostat to be automatically adjusted for up to four hours during hot and humid summer days, resulting in reducing their energy bill and the overall power BWL needs to generate, which avoids carbon emissions and saves money.
Participants will receive prior notification of each energy event and may choose to opt-out of events if needed.
Participants who successfully enroll in the program will be given a $50 gift card, plus a $25 gift card at the end of each year they participate in at least 50% of the yearly energy events that are identified.
