ConnectedSolutions
Rhode Island Energy Demand Response Programs
Rhode Island Energy’s ConnectedSolutions program is an initiative designed to manage the electricity consumption on the electric grid during “peak” demand times. It's important to limit energy usage on hot summer days when the grid is stressed. Reducing energy use at these times lowers energy costs and decreases pollution. The ConnectedSolutions program aims to conserve energy at these peak times through a portfolio of solutions, including Wi-Fi thermostats and energy storage systems.
“Peak demand” is defined as the highest amount of electricity used in a single hour, and New England’s Independent System Operator (ISO-NE) must ensure that the region has sufficient power resources to meet peak demand. Click here to learn more from ISO-NE about New England’s peak electricity use.
Reducing peak demand on the electric grid is important for numerous reasons, all of which contribute to the reliability and cost effectiveness of New England’s power system. Demand response programs help avoid blackouts and brownouts (reduced voltage) ensuring the grid has enough capacity to handle high usage periods without overloading.
ConnectedSolutions for RI Residents
Rhode Island Energy’s Residential ConnectedSolutions program initiative is comprised of three programs:
- Thermostat Program
Thermostat Program allows Rhode Island Residents to save money and energy by enrolling their qualified thermostats in a program designed to reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods. By participating, customers allow Rhode Island Energy to send automatic signals to their qualified thermostat to precool their home by 2 degrees Fahrenheit before the peak event and increase the thermostat setting by 4 degrees Fahrenheit during the peak event. Customers will earn a $50 virtual prepaid MasterCard per thermostat and a $20 annual virtual prepaid MasterCard for every thermostat connected to a central air conditioner or central heat pump. The customer must be enrolled on or before August 15 to receive an incentive for the current summer season. The customer can opt out of a peak event at any time by changing the thermostat setting. If the program is not a good fit, Rhode Island Energy may disenroll the customer the following year. To visit Rhode Island Energy’s Thermostat Program Page, click here.
To access the Residential Thermostat Program guidance document, click here.
- Electric vehicles and EV chargers
The Electric Vehicle Demand Response Program offers Rhode Island electric vehicle (EV) owners the opportunity to save money while helping reduce strain on the power grid during peak demand times. By enrolling in this program, participants agree to allow their EVs to be briefly adjusted or managed during periods of high electricity demand, ensuring that energy consumption is more balanced across the grid. In exchange, customers will receive a $50 virtual prepaid MasterCard and a $20 annual virtual prepaid MasterCard for each EV or EV charger enrolled in the program. To visit Rhode Island Energy’s Electric Vehicle Demand Response Program Page, click here.
- Batteries (Energy Storage)
The Battery Program allows Rhode Island Residents to save money and help stabilize the power grid by enrolling their home battery storage systems. The customer allows Rhode Island Energy to discharge their batteries during high energy demand. In return, the customer can receive an incentive every summer based on the performance of their battery system. The summer incentive rate is $225 per average kW performed each summer. While incentive rates are normally subject to change, ConnectedSolutions allows customers to lock in their rate for the first five summers of enrollment. Incentives are performance-based. Some battery implementers may offer additional discounts, such as a reduced upfront cost with the REF Grant, for paying the ConnectedSolutions seasonal incentives to the battery implementer.
To visit Rhode Island Energy’s Battery Program Page, click here.
Click here to access the guidance document for “Residential and Small Business Customers Battery Energy Storage”
For questions and concerns regarding battery participation, please email rienergy@energyhub.com.
Can I participate in both the ConnectedSolutions Battery Program and the Solar System Program?
Yes, customers can participate in both. Participating in both programs will not decrease the incentives you earn in either program.
To visit Rhode Island Energy’s Residential ConnectedSolutions Program Page, click the button below:
RESIDENTIAL ConnectedSolutions Webpage
ConnectedSolutions for Commercial & Industrial Customers
Rhode Island Energy offers two pathways for Commercial and Industrial customers: Daily Dispatch and Targeted Dispatch. You can choose one pathway OR enroll in both, which RI Energy calls “Dual Enrollment.” Participants are compensated based on performance for each average kW they reduce.
C&I Eligibility requirements
The C&I ConnectedSolutions program is technology-agnostic. To be eligible for the C&I track, customers must be in rate classes C-06, G-02, or G-32. Customers in other rate classes are not eligible.
Front-of-the-meter assets, such as power plants or solar farms, are also not eligible. Storage systems must be considered behind-the-meter (BTM) assets to qualify. BTM refers to a facility that serves an on-site load other than parasitic load or station load used to operate the facility.
Customers in the Pascoag Utility District and the Block Island Power Company service territory are not eligible to participate.
How to Enroll: Typically, customers enroll through an approved Curtailment Service Provider (CSP). CSPs offer various services to help customers maximize their curtailment performance and incentive payments. However, enrolling through a CSP is not mandatory. Customers can also enroll without a CSP, known as "Direct Participation." In this case, customers should contact Rhode Island Energy for guidance.
To visit RI Energy’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) webpage, click the button below: