Demand Response Programs
Reduce Energy and Save
PG&E's demand response programs offer incentives for business owners who curtail their facility's energy use during times of peak demand. Find out how your business can benefit and help make a difference in the state's energy well being.
- Base Interruptible Program
- Capacity Bidding Program
- Critical Peak Pricing
- Demand Bidding Program
- Optional Binding Mandatory Curtailment Plan
- Pilot Optional Binding Mandatory Curtailment Plan
- Scheduled Load Reduction Program
- SmartAC™ (Commercial and Residential)
- Technical Assistance and Technology Incentive Programs
- How to Apply
- Energy Management Tools
- Energy Orb
Base Interruptible Program
Receive a payment even if there is no event. This program contains compliance penalties, and load reductions can last up to six hours, day or night.
Capacity Bidding Program
Enroll with PG&E or a third-party aggregator directly to reduce load. Program runs from May until October, paying monthly incentives for joining the program as well as incentives on event days.
Critical Peak Pricing
Receive lower rates during the on-peak period (most summer weekdays) in exchange for higher rates on up to 12 days when PG&E’s system demands are high. Load reductions last for six hours on weekdays, noon to 6 p.m.
Demand Bidding Program
Receive payments for reducing your electric usage (based on your bid) when PG&E’s system demands are high. Load reductions can last for two hours on weekdays, noon to 8 p.m.
Optional Binding Mandatory Curtailment Plan
Avoid rotating outages altogether by implementing load reductions on your entire circuit or dedicated substation during rotating outages.
Pilot Optional Binding Mandatory Curtailment Plan
Be exempted from rotating outages if your business is located in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda counties.
Scheduled Load Reduction Program
Select the weekdays and load reduction time periods from those available. Reduce your demand during these time periods on your selected weekdays.
SmartAC™ (Commercial and Residential)
Reduce your air conditioner's power consumption. Help your community conserve energy. Earn cash.
Technical Assistance and Technology Incentive Programs
Let our engineers help you identify how and how much you may be able to reduce demand under a PG&E’s demand response or reliability program. Also, receive an incentive totaling $250 per kilowatt of verified load reduction capability associated with the installation of recommended enabling technologies.
How to Apply
Complete the Demand Response Program Agreement and mail it in.
Energy Management Tools
Manage your company’s energy use online and save on your energy bill.
Energy Orb
The energy orb serves as a visual notification for participating demand response customers and their employees to reduce their energy usage. Energy orbs alert business customers prior to and during an
energy-reduction event.
