Learn more about the Capacity Bidding Program

Capacity Bidding Program details

Capacity Bidding Program (CBP) is an aggregator managed program that operates with a Day-Ahead option and runs May 1^st through October 31^st, but is promoted year-round. There are numerous aggregators participating in CBP. The CBP program is open for new aggregators.

Each aggregator is responsible for designing their own demand response program as well as customer acquisition, marketing sales, retention, support and event notification tactics.

Program Overview

Program Option(s)

CBP offers the following three (3) options:

Prescribed

Maximum of one event per day.
Not to exceed 30 hours, 5 events per month.
Event duration between 1 and 6 hours.
Program hours 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Elect

Maximum of one event per day.
Participant may choose more than 5 events per month.
Event duration between 1 and 8 hours.
Program hours 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Elect +

Maximum of one event per day.
Participant may choose more than 5 events per month.
Event duration between 1 and 24 hours.
Program hours 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Participant may choose additional program hours beyond the above.

Curtailment Level

Each aggregator submits monthly capacity nominations for customers enrolled in their portfolio.

The curtailment commitment level comes from their portfolio of customers.

Incentive Payment

The Capacity payment is a CPUC approved price that is listed in the CBP tariff.

The Capacity payment is what PG&E pays the aggregators monthly for their commitment.

Energy payment is what PG&E pays the aggregators for an event curtailment.

If no CBP Events were called during the operation month, then the monthly Energy payment is zero.

Aggregators then pay incentives to their customers based on their own agreement between aggregator and customer.

Non-Compliance Penalties

The aggregators are penalized if they fail to deliver their committed load reductions. The penalties vary based on the shortfall, with larger penalties for larger shortfalls. Aggregators determine compensation and/or penalties for their participating customers.

Event Information

Event Trigger

For the Prescribed option, PG&E may trigger a CBP event for one or more SubLAPs when:

The CAISO day-ahead market price exceeds $95/MWh;
PG&E receives a market award or dispatch instruction from the CAISO for CBP resources;
PG&E in its sole opinion forecasts that generation resources or electric system capacity may not be adequate;
Or, forecasted temperature for a Sub-LAP exceeds the temperature threshold.

For the Elect and Elect + options, PG&E may trigger a CBP event for one or more SubLAPs when:

The CAISO day-ahead market price exceeds the aggregator-specified offer price.

Event Notification Time

PG&E will notify the affected aggregators by 4 p.m. on a day-ahead basis of a CBP event for the following calendar day.

Eligibility

Program Eligibility

To participate in CBP, customers must meet the following criteria:

Have an Interval Meter (MV90 or SmartMeter™).
Be on a residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural rate schedule.
Be a Bundled, Direct Access (DA), Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), partial standby, Net metered, or Auto DR customer.

Program Non-Eligibility

Customers not eligible to participate in the CBP program:

Customers receiving electric power from WAPA or other 3rd parties that are not DA or CCA.
Customers that are full standby.
Customers on NEMCCSF rate schedule.

Dual Participation Eligibility

CBP customers on the Day-Ahead product may also participate in PG&E’s E-OBMC program.

Load Criteria for CBP

No minimum demand load requirement.

Meter Requirements

Each SA must have an interval meter capable of recording usage in 15-minute intervals installed that can be read remotely by PG&E. An approved interval meter and/or approved meter communications equipment must be installed and operating prior to participating in the program.

Third-Party Aggregators

HERE IS A LIST OF PG&E-QUALIFIED AGGREGATORS:

You may also enroll with a third-party aggregator directly. An aggregator is an entity appointed by a customer, to act on behalf of the customer with respect to all aspects of CBP, including receipt of notification of an event, receipt of incentive payments and payment of penalties.

		Blue Zone Resources Blue Zone Resources brings an entrepreneurial and scientific approach to sustainability, helping its clients become more profitable and saving the planet at the same time. The Blue Zone team’s hands-on approach to demand response creates a seamless revenue-generating process for its clients, but a relationship with Blue Zone is deeper than just demand response. Our team of biochemists, environmental scientists, and entrepreneurs will take a comprehensive look at a company’s operations and make recommendations that will improve sustainability and profitability. VISIT BLUE ZONE RESOURCES
		CPower/Energy Connect Save on energy costs, earn revenue through energy curtailment, enhance your sustainability efforts and contribute to a balanced, reliable grid. CPower’s demand-side energy management solutions will help you get there. Visit CPower
		Enel X Earn revenue while helping to stabilize the grid by partnering with Enel X North America. We provide access to more demand response programs worldwide than any other provider and develop custom C&I energy management strategies with energy storage, solar-plus-storage, utility bill management, and advisory solutions. Visit Enel X
		ENERsponse Inc. Specializing in small-site Demand Response aggregation and AutoDR, we work with restaurants, retailers, schools, and water operators, along with other C&I customers of all sizes, to leverage every kW possible. Visit ENERsponse Inc.
		GridPoint The leading Energy Management Solutions platform for small and medium businesses. GridPoint has over 15 years’ experience delivering energy efficiency, automated demand response, deep analytics and intelligence controls to thousands of locations throughout North America. Visit GridPoint
		IPKeys Power Partners IPKeys Power Partners is a leading provider of Demand Response resources and solutions across the United States. We provide an advanced Auto DR platform with our Energy Interop Server & System™ (EISS™) system and customer tools to enable our customers to participate in a broader range of Demand Response including Capacity, Reserves, Energy and Rate Optimization programs. Visit IPKeys Power Partners
		NRG Curtailment Solutions The ultimate win-win energy solution, demand response programs benefit all energy users. NRG Curtailment Solutions will work with your organization to recommend specific reduction strategies as well as provide real-time training and support so your facilities can maximize each program’s market benefits. Visit NRG Curtailment Solutions
		OhmConnect OhmConnect's free service helps residential consumers use energy when it's cleanest and rewards you for saving energy when it's dirty. VISIT OHMCONNECT
		Polaris Energy Services Specialists in Demand Response applications for agriculture customers. Our Ag energy experience allows customers to take advantage of program incentives while avoiding disruptions to their operations through the use of advanced automation and monitoring. VISIT POLARIS
		Voltus Voltus represents the "potential of us" to better manage energy through simple, cost-free energy management products. You can generate more cash through our industry leading energy experts delivering innovative demand response solutions with you. Visit Voltus