Capacity Bidding Program
Capacity Bidding Program details
Capacity Bidding Program (CBP) is an aggregator managed program that operates with Day-Ahead and Day-Of options and runs May 1st through October 31st, 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 two (2) options:
Day-Ahead Curtailment
- Maximum of one event per day.
- Not to exceed 30 hours per month.
- Notified by 3:00 p.m. on the day before the operation day.
Day-Of Curtailment
- Maximum of one event per day.
- Not to exceed 30 hours per month.
- Notification on a day-of basis, with up to approximately three (3) hours’ notice prior to the start of the event.
Curtailment Level
Each aggregator has the option of submitting a monthly capacity nomination amount. This capacity nomination amount is fixed for their associated operating months.
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
PG&E may trigger a Day-Ahead or Day-Of CBP Event for one or more Load Zones when:
- PG&E procurement stack is expected to require the dispatch of electric generation facilities with heat rates of 15,000 BTU/kWh or greater.
- PG&E receives a market award of dispatch instruction from the CAISO for Proxy Demand Response bid.
- PG&E in its sole opinion, forecasts that generation resources or electric system capacity may not be adequate.
- For forecasted temperature for a Load Zone exceeds the temperature threshold for the Load Zone.
Event Notification Time
Day-Ahead and Day-Of Options
Product | Minimum Duration per Event | Maximum Duration per Event | Maximum Events Per Day Hours Per Operating Month | Maximum Events Per Day | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-4 Hour |
1 Hour |
4 Hours |
30 |
1 |
|
2-6 Hour |
2 Hours |
6 Hours |
30 |
1 |
|
4-8 Hour |
4 Hours |
8 Hours |
30 |
1 |
Event Frequency Limit
Maximum of 30 event hours per Operating month per product listed above. The program also allows for up to two test events per calendar year.
Curtailment Window
Weekday’s excluding holiday’s (11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Eligibility
Program Eligibility
To participate in CBP, customers must meet the following criteria:
- Have an Interval Meter (MV90 or SmartMeter™).
- Be on a 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 residential rate schedules.
- 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.
- CBP customers on the Day-Of product may also participate in PG&E’s Peak Day Pricing (PDP), E-DBP or E-SLRP programs.
Load Criteria for CBP
No minimum demand load requirement.
Meter Requirements
Interval data recording meter (MV90 or SmartMeter™) is required for participation. For Bundled Service and CCA Service SA’s with a maximum demand of >200 kW or greater for three consecutive months in the past 12 billing months, PG&E will provide and install the metering and communication equipment at no cost to the customer. For customers whose maximum billed demand has not exceeded the requirements, the customer of aggregator may request to pay for the interval MV90 data recording meter.
Third-Party Aggregators
HERE IS A LIST OF PG&E-QUALIFIED AGGREGATORS:
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 |
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Engie Storage Engie Storage (formerly Green Charge) operates intelligent battery energy storage systems to provide electricity bill reduction and demand response services for commercial, industrial and public sector customers. Visit Engie Storage |
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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. |
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Innovari Market Solutions Earn revenue and save energy by participating in the Capacity Bidding Program (CBP) between the months of May and October. Through Innovari Market Solutions, participants become partners in determining curtailment strategies and incentives. Visit Innovari Market Solutions |
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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 |
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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 |
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THG Energy Solutions THG Energy‘s OpenADR-certified technology enables customers for intelligent, automated demand response. Our proprietary hardware and software solution combines flexible controls, down-to-the-minute monitoring and market intelligence to make participating in demand response programs straightforward and valuable to both customers and the electricity grid. Visit THG Energy Solutions |
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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 |
Useful Resources
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Capacity Bidding Program Rate (Schedule E-CBP)
[PDF, 417.9 KB]
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CBP Aggregator Enrollment Form
[PDF, 155.36 KB]
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Form W-9
[PDF, 1.62 MB]
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Third Party Authorization Form
[PDF, 187.16 KB]
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CBP Aggregator Add/Delete Form
[PDF, 131.81 KB]
Prohibited Resources for Demand Response
The CPUC has finalized a regulation that prohibits the use of fossil fuel generators for the purpose of reducing load during demand response events. The prohibition is effective January 1, 2019. Read the fact sheet for details.

Contact Us
Contact your PG&E Customer Relationship Manager or PG&E's Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743.