School District Enters Agreement for Energy Demand Response Program

A five year contract for an energy-saving response program, which operates at no cost to the school district while bringing in revenue, was approved by Manchester members during a regular meeting Wednesday night. 

The agreement with EnerNOC for the district to curtail power use in high demand situations when appropriate, potentially could bring in about $185,000 over the five years, according to Business Administrator Craig Lorentzen. 

"One of the things the district has tried to do over the last several years is energy conservation," Lorentzen said. "This is just another program that's out there."

EnerNOC operates by monitoring power supplies. If electricity demands in one area are becoming too great, the company will contact participants to see if they are able to reduce energy consumption. The utility thus saves money because it does not need to buy more power from another source.

The agreement, which begins in the summer of 2013, will allow EnerNOC to contact Manchester school administrators when it becomes apparent that high energy demands are upcoming between June 1 and Sept. 30.

"They'll see if there's anywhere in the district where we can reduce energy consumption for a period," Lorentzen said, adding that lowering lighting and air conditioning are ways to conserve. "That window of time can be anywhere between one and six hours. If you're able to do it, they pay you."

During the past five years between June 1 and Sept. 30 — the timeframe when energy reduction events may be called — there has been one event each year, Lorentzen said.

Though the district is in agreement with EnerNOC, participation during an energy event is not mandatory if it inconvenient for schools, such as when class is in session during September. 

"If we have kids in the building, we can decline the event, and we don't get penalized for that," Lorentzen said. "Basically, we make money in this program by just being on standby."

If the district does participate when needed, additional money can be made. 

"It depends on how much they need us to reduce, and when," Lorentzen said. 

In addition to the money, the district will receive free software which can be used to monitor energy consumption at each of the schools.