Published 
Dec 18, 2020

Ontario energy consumers take note – Voltus secures its place as a leading provider of demand response in this month’s capacity auction

Ontario’s demand response market has grown for the sixth consecutive year and Voltus is continuing to grow with it. Voltus is now the 3rd largest demand response aggregator in the region.

Ontario energy consumers take note – Voltus secures its place as a leading provider of demand response in this month’s capacity auction
Michael Pohlod
Senior Energy Markets Manager

Ontario’s demand response market has grown for the sixth consecutive year and Voltus is continuing to grow with it. The IESO procured almost 1 GW of capacity at one tenth the per MW-Year cost of the generator contracts that make up the Global Adjustment. Capacity auctions provide a more flexible and cost effective option than generator contracts, and the IESO will increase its reliance on auctions as contracts expire over the next 20 years.

Voltus is now the 3rd largest Demand Response Aggregator in Ontario. “We are excited to provide our 82 MWs of customers with over $25,000 per MW each year responding to critical grid events in the province,” says Voltus Vice President of Energy Markets and Product Dana Guernsey. This demand response program will run from May through October next year, but is likely to return to running year-round in 2023, as the need for capacity increases. “The time is ripe for Ontario businesses to offer their operational flexibility to the grid as we expect the value of demand response in Ontario to only increase over time,” says Guernsey.

Source: Average of Recovery Scenarios provided in the July 22, 2020 IESO Planning Update

For Ontario businesses considering taking the plunge into demand response participation, this program is straightforward operationally and quite lucrative; the Summer season has historically only seen 1-2 events per year, equating to $3,000 to $6,000 per MWh in earnings potential.

Participation in programs like this helps reduce the Province’s dependence on fossil fuels and keeps electricity rates lower as new power plants and transmission line investments can be deferred. Program enrollment is limited though. The value goes to the first businesses to jump on board.

Interested in earning cash for your business through demand response? Email info@voltus.co to get started.