Automated demand response
Shift your electricity use with automated technologies to earn rewards
Join our automated demand response for business (AutoDR) program and earn rewards by using devices such as smart thermostats and hot water load controllers to help manage energy use during peak demand periods on our system.
The offer
Enroll your smart devices in the AutoDR program to earn enrollment bonuses and ongoing seasonal rewards. Enrolled equipment must remain powered on and connected to the internet throughout a season to be eligible for seasonal rewards.
Enrollment bonus per site
A one-time enrollment bonus is available per device type enrolled in each site. You'll receive this as a bill credit on your business' BC Hydro bill after we've processed your device enrollment. Enroll devices in multiple sites for more enrollment bonuses.
| Device Type | Enrollment Bonus |
|---|---|
| Thermostat | $100 |
| Load controller | $100 |
Recurring seasonal reward per site
A seasonal reward is available per device type you enroll in each site. You'll receive this as a bill credit after each program season you're eligible for. Enroll devices in multiple sites for more seasonal rewards.
| Device Type | Seasonal reaward |
|---|---|
| Thermostat | $50 |
| Load controller | $50 |
How it works
Smart business devices enrolled in the program are remotely managed during specific events. Here's how the process works:
- Enroll smart devices: Enroll your equipment through the device manufacturer's website or mobile app. BC Hydro validates the enrollment.
- Automatically join events: Events occur up to twice a day, last between one to four hours, and can happen on weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays. BC Hydro adjusts enrolled devices automatically during events.
- Reward: You earn ongoing seasonal rewards plus a one-time enrollment bonus per device type enrolled in each site.
You can opt out of any event by manually overriding your device during the event.
Eligibility
You must be an owner or tenant of the building where your business resides. If you're a tenant, you'll need the owner's consent.
Your business must be on our small general service (SGS), medium generate service (MGS), or large general service (LGS) rate.
Eligible devices must be:
- Manufactured by Mysa or Sinopé.
- Open automated demand response (OpenADR) certified.
- Smart devices, such as smart thermostats and hot water load controllers, that are installed in the business.
- Enrolled through the device manufacturer's website or mobile app.
- Controlling electrically heated measures such as electric baseboards and electric water tanks.
- Connected to Wi-Fi internet service at the business.
Enroll your devices
Enroll eligible devices in the AutoDR program by registering them through the device manufacturer's website or mobile app.
MANUFACTURER |
HOW TO ENROLL |
|---|---|
| Mysa | Enroll your device through Mysa's registration page. |
| Sinopé | Activate the "Eco Sinopé" feature in the NeviWeb app. |
If you have questions about this program, contact your Key Account Manager or send us an email at demand.response@bchydro.com.
Resources
- AutoDR customer manual [PDF, 148 KB]
- Terms and conditions [PDF, 180 KB]
Getting started
- The winter season runs from November 1 to March 31.
- The summer season runs from June 1 to September 30.
Summer season enrollment is only available for the following select areas where electricity use peaks in the summer:
- Abbotsford
- Campbell Heights (Neighbourhood in Surrey)
- Hope
- Maple Ridge
- Mount Lehman
- Northeast Fraser Valley region (Mission to Agassiz)
- Port Coquitlam & Burke Mountain
- Select neighbourhoods in Vancouver (West of Cambie)
- Select communities between Kelowna and Vernon
- Select neighbourhoods in Victoria
- Sun Peaks (Surrounding areas)
- Vernon
- White Rock
If you're eligible for summer, you can enroll for summer, winter, or both.
AutoDR is an automated method to trigger and respond to demand-response events. If your equipment is OpenADR certified (an open standard communications protocol), we can send event signals directly to your equipment to adjust operation to a pre-set plan. The plan would enact specific changes to your equipment's operation such as reducing setpoints, pre-cooling, and temporarily turning off to meet the electricity reduction target.
Contact your equipment manufacturer to find out if your equipment is OpenADR certified. You can also check the specifications or documentation provided with your equipment.
Select that you'll use AutoDR when you apply for the demand response program. Ensure your equipment is OpenADR certified before enrolling.
AutoDR provides a seamless and automated way to participate in demand response events. It reduces the need for manual intervention, ensuring timely and consistent adjustments to your equipment's operation during events. This can help you meet electricity reduction targets and incentives more efficiently.
During an event
In case of a communication failure, your equipment will revert to its normal operation. Please have a backup plan in place to manually adjust your equipment if needed.
No, participants will not be notified when AutoDR events happen. Adjustments to equipment operation are made automatically.
You can opt out of an AutoDR event by manually overriding your device during the event. For specific instructions on how to do this, please refer to your equipment manufacturer manual.
Rewards and measurement
A one-time $100 enrollment bonus plus ongoing rewards of $50 per season is available per device type enrolled in each site.
For example, if you install two thermostats and one load controller in a single site, you'll receive an enrollment bonus of $200 and ongoing rewards of $100 per season.
Enrollment bonuses will be applied to your business' BC Hydro bill after we've processed your device enrollment.
At the end of each season you're eligible for, your total rewards earned during the season will be applied to your business' BC Hydro bill.