The partners say that this marks the first time that a North American utility will incorporate multi-unit residential building chargers into its demand response programs.
AutoGrid’s AI-powered Flex platform can process data from millions of energy assets simultaneously and subsequently forecast demand patterns, helping utilities automate distributed energy management. By tapping into this cutting-edge technology, Swtch EV chargers that participate in AutoGrid’s demand response programs will be adjusted remotely for brief periods, helping manage demand on the electrical grid.
“North American energy infrastructure is coming under tremendous pressure, making the introduction of turnkey, efficiency-boosting measures more important than ever,” said Swtch CEO and co-founder Carter Li. “With AutoGrid’s proven experience as a leading DERMS provider, we look forward to a successful launch in Canada and a rapid expansion across North America.”
Demand response is a technology-enabled conservation system for electric power supply; it involves shifting or shedding electricity during peak demand periods. Demand response works in two ways: price-based programs, which use price signals and tariffs to incentivise consumers to use less electricity, and incentive-based programs that pay consumers directly. As utilities pledge to cut carbon emissions, the global demand response market is expected to grow by US$1.07 billion between 2020 and 2025, led by North America.
While this type of demand response program is gaining traction throughout the single-family home category, multi-tenant building assets remain an untapped resource. The partnership between Swtch and AutoGrid sets a precedent for DERMS providers and utilities across the continent at a time when the need for energy resilience is more dire than ever.
