Load Management Dialogue

Resource Materials For:

Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Power, and Dynamic Organics
for Flexible Load Management 

with Marcus Jones, Efficiency Vermont; Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics; and Laurie Duhan, BGE

Presented on Thursday, October 3, 2019; 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern

You have access to watch this recording.

Contact info:

• Jeffrey Monder, Green Mountain Power, [email protected]
• Marcus Jones, Efficiency Vermont, [email protected]
• Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics, [email protected]
• Laurie Duhan, BGE, [email protected]
• Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont, [email protected]

This project demonstrated the importance of partnerships for successful peak load management to benefit Vermonters, reducing carbon and the overall cost of the energy delivery system. Efficiency Vermont had a long-term customer relationship with Brattleboro Retreat, a healthcare facility in Southern Vermont. The project renewed utilization and controls optimization for a 1990s legacy, 3.2 MWh chiller and ice storage system.

Green Mountain Power, the local utility committed to fighting climate change, developed a strategy to share grid benefit and savings with customers from shifting load off peak. Dynamic Organics developed a custom controller and dashboard incorporating weather, electric grid demand and pricing, and HVAC system data simultaneously to allow remote control and automated operation of the ice storage system. A trial of the system during an early summer peak event was successful, and that led to development of an innovative pilot (currently enrolling 10 more customers with diverse flexible assets) to demonstrate grid and customer value. The goal is to then make this a permanent rate option for commercial customers who have flexible load.

Marcus Jones Efficiency Vermont Marcus Jones is an Energy Consultant in VEIC’s Engineering group, specializing in HVAC and control system strategies. With more than 20 years of experience in the building construction, maintenance and energy efficiency industries, he is a technical expert in commercial and industrial markets – where he works with numerous customer groups including schools, health care institutions and offices to identify optimal energy solutions to complex mechanical and control system problems. Marcus is the technical lead for predictive control strategies and flexible load management practices for efficient buildings as a means to support grid stability. He also serves as the team lead for VEIC, under its Efficiency Vermont (EVT) contract, in a joint EVT-Green Mountain Power (GMP) Flexible Load Pilot. In this role, Marcus led the initial proof of concept in 2018, partnering with Dynamic Organics and GMP to optimize controls on an existing ice storage system and show its value as a grid asset.

Morgan Casella Dynamic Organics Morgan Casella is Managing Partner of Dynamic Organics (DO), where he has worked for over 10 years in sustainable energy and HVAC efficiency project development, design, construction, and operations and maintenance. Morgan has experience with solar development, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas-to-energy generation, and building energy systems including HVAC design, optimization, installation, and retrofits. Through DO, Morgan has provided development and consulting work for companies interested in alternative energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and alternative waste reduction strategies. DO provides consulting and analytical services ranging from agricultural investment opportunities for large companies such as C&S Wholesale Grocers and education institutions like Dartmouth College, to smaller commercial buildings, campuses, and private residences.

Laurie Duhan BGE  and PLMA Award Group Co-Chair Laurie Duhan has worked in the regulated utility industry for over 35 years. Currently she leads BGE’s Demand Side Management Programs, which include Residential Demand Response, Residential and Commercial Energy Efficiency and Behavioral Energy Efficiency programs. She is responsible for all aspects of these programs including strategic planning, program design, measurement and valuation, as well as meeting BGE’s EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency goals. Prior to this position, Laurie lead BGE’s Gas and Electric Customer Choice programs, allowing customers to purchase their gas and/or electricity from a licensed third-party energy supplier. Her experience in areas at BGE in both leadership and key contributor positions include Gas Pricing and Tariffs, Regulatory Accounting, Budget Analysis and Financial Planning. Prior to joining BGE, Laurie worked at Houston Lighting & Power Company. Laurie is currently a Co-Chair for PLMA’s Award Committee.