Latest PLMA Member News | The Voice of Load Management Professionals

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Opinion Dynamics Job Opportunity: Principal Consultant (Quantitative Research Consulting)Opinion Dynamics


Posted October 7, 2022

Opinion Dynamics, a market leader committed to providing cutting-edge strategic research, evaluation, and consulting services, seeks a Principal Consultant to work with our energy research and consulting team. Our interdisciplinary team of consultants develops actionable and insightful research to support an array of clients helping to shape the clean energy future, including electric and gas utilities, regulators, and stakeholders. Our research supports the planning, evaluation, and optimization of energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed energy resource programs. Projects also include customer experience research, formative market research for new and existing programs, technology assessments, market characterization and potential studies, and advising on program design and implementation.

We’re looking for inquisitive and enthusiastic employees to join our team of energy industry aficionados – those who enjoy conducting research and analysis, but also care about the rationale behind the research and how results can be applied. Our ideal candidate is just as comfortable using the left-side of the brain as the right, enjoys a challenge, relishes learning new things, and is excited to work with an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

As a Principal Consultant, you are the cornerstone of a project team, connecting our clients with the internal expertise needed to answer their key questions. In this role, you will be primarily focused on managing the successful execution of technical projects and tasks involving advanced analytical and data science techniques, as well as large volumes of data. You will also be responsible for project and staff management. This includes leading the design and execution of analytic efforts, translating complex analyses into concepts understandable to clients, supervising consultants, and working closely with our clients to make sure we’re being responsive to their needs.

As a Principal Consultant, you will be responsible for the following on a day-to-day basis:

  • Developing research and evaluation plans that adhere to industry best practices, as well as leverage recent innovations in the field of statistics, data science, data visualization, and data management
  • Overseeing, and contributing to the execution of research plans for complex quantitative analyses, ensuring that objectives are achieved, results are accurate, and recommendations are actionable
  • Conducting quality control of work products including data frames and analytic outputs
  • Effectively managing project scopes, schedules, and budgets to meet client needs and contract specifications
  • Designing research strategies and methods in collaboration with senior statistical experts and other functional teams (e.g., data management, market insights and engineering)
  • Effectively communicating analytics and modeling results and turning data models into actionable insights
  • Authoring memos, reports and presentations for clients and other external audiences
  • Developing and presenting executive level results and recommendations  
  • Providing training and mentorship to less experienced consulting staff 
  • Writing proposals to win new projects

CLICK HERE to read the full job description and to apply.
 

OhmConnect Paid Members $2.7M and Saved 1.5 GWh of Energy During Recent California Heat WaveOhmConnect

Heat Wave During Labor Day Weekend Put Unprecedented Strain on the Grid; OhmConnect Members Reduced Energy Use on Sept. 6 Equivalent to Output of 3 Power Plants

Posted September 29, 2022

Oakland, Calif., Sept. 29, 2022 – OhmConnect, the leading provider of residential energy flexibility, supported the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) Flex Alerts during the recent extended heat wave by incentivizing reduced home energy usage from Wednesday, August 31 to Thursday, September 8. In just nine days, OhmConnect's active members received over $2.7M in rewards and saved 1.5 GigaWatt hours (GWh) of energy, the equivalent of taking 1 million homes off the grid for an hour.

OhmConnect helps balance California's electric grid during periods of peak demand by paying its more than 200,000 active California members to reduce their home energy use when the grid is stressed. Members receive text and email alerts indicating when to power down in order to save electricity, and if they use less energy than forecasted, they earn rewards and save on their monthly utility bills.

During the nine-day heat wave, OhmConnect sent 6 million communications to its members; and toggled members' smart energy devices (such as smart thermostats and smart plugs) off and on 1.3 million times. OhmConnect members authorize OhmConnect to turn their smart devices off and on remotely, while retaining the ability to override and control their devices at all times. OhmConnect also awarded its members gift cards during the heat wave that can be redeemed for 30,140 buckets of popcorn, 17,349 tubs of ice cream; and 22,570 mocha lattes.

On September 6th, air conditioning needs pushed statewide electricity demand to a record-high 52 Gigawatts, threatening to cause rolling power outages. In response to CAISO's September 6th emergency alert, OhmConnect members delivered 374 MWh of reductions – equivalent to the output of three power plants.

CLICK HERE to read the full press release.
 

Virtual Peaker and Armada Power Announce Fully Integrated APIsVirtual Peaker

Integration Creates Easy, Affordable Solution for Utilities to Upgrade Standard Water Heaters to Smart Devices

Posted September 27, 2022

Louisville, KY and Columbus, OH – Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based SaaS company empowering modern utilities with the friendliest distributed energy platform on the planet, and Armada Power, an innovative grid resource company that controls standard electric resistance water heaters to serve as an energy storage and grid resilience resource without compromising the availability of hot water, have integrated their technologies to easily and cost-effectively transform the second-largest residential energy load device—water heaters—into low-carbon energy storage assets.

The Virtual Peaker / Armada Power application programming interface (API) integration makes it much easier for utilities to scale their water heater DERMS initiatives. Water heater controllers are affordable, easy-to-install after-market items that allow standard units to be upgraded to smart water heaters. The new partnership integrates the Virtual Peaker platform via the open spec Gravity Connect API with Armada Power’s DR API, enabling Virtual Peaker to seamlessly communicate with any Armada Power device that has an internet connection.

Virtual Peaker and Armada Power have previous experience working together. In March 2022 they helped to launch a pilot program with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and other partners called WatterSaver, which is slated to be the largest program of its kind in the United States. WatterSaver is expected to optimize 5,000-9,000 residential water heaters and provide up to 2.5 megawatts of peak-load reduction by the end of 2025.

“The new partnership between Virtual Peaker and Armada Power creates a number of synergies: our two companies don’t need to integrate each time we want to roll out a new device, utilities can quickly get more devices under control to scale up and make their programs more effective, and residential consumers can avoid buying expensive water heaters yet still participate in DER programs that lead to a more sustainable planet,” said Virtual Peaker Founder & CEO, Dr. William (Bill) Burke. “We’re looking forward to deepening our relationship with the talented team at Armada Power and our shared utility clients.”

“Armada Power and Virtual Peaker have a great partnership. We have a shared mission in transforming the power grid to support reliable, zero-carbon energy sources. Our ability to store energy in fleets of water heaters combined with the Virtual Peaker platform creates the perfect product for utility operators,” said Armada Power President Timothy (T.J.) Harper. 

CLICK HERE to read the full press release.
 

PLMA Opens Call for Executive Committee Nominations 

Self-nominations from PLMA Board members are now being accepted from PLMA Board members for Executive Committee members for Fall 2022 - Fall 2024 term. If you plan to seek election, you must full complete the Executive Committee Nomination Form by Friday, October 15, 2022. The form requires that you include a brief statement of your qualifications, your goals for the organization, and initiatives that you want to champion.

You must be signed in as a Board Member to access the nomination form. If the link does not work, cut and paste this url into your browser: https://plma.memberclicks.net/execcommnominations2022

PLMA seeks nominations from Board members for the Executive Committee. All current executive committee members (see roster at www.peakload.org/plma-leadership) terms expire at the conclusion of the 46th PLMA Conference. The PLMA Executive Committee includes up to eight (8) members who are elected to a two-year term with no term limits from current Board members in good standing.

Job Description. PLMA looks to the Executive Committee to provide strategic leadership and vision to assist the Officers and Executive Director with tactical support in the operation of the Association consistent with the Board’s direction. Tasks include:

  • Review, Understand, and Comply with the duties and responsibilities of the Executive Committee as described in the PLMA By Laws

  • Understand, Comply with, and Assist in Enforcement of all PLMA Policies

  • Actively support the delivery of a strategic objective or other working group and participate in the Strategic Planning process (to learn more about PLMA Strategic Planning process, view past Board meeting minutes and slides at www.peakload.org/board-home-page.)

  • Participate in monthly Executive Committee meetings to ensure quorum is met.

  • Participate in Conference Planning and Presentation Evaluation.

  • Review, Edit, and Discuss new or revised PLMA Policies. Be present to vote to accept or reject policies.

  • Provide feedback on materials and reports submitted by Executive Director for review.

  • During the Officer Election year, actively participate in recruiting and ensuring that PLMA has a viable set of candidates for each Officer position.

  • Become involved in other PLMA activities as they arise

  • Proactively promote PLMA and especially its conferences and membership in PLMA.

The Executive Committee meets via conference call monthly and at other times as deemed necessary. Members must remain an employee of a PLMA member organization for the length of their term, and are expected to participate in a majority of the monthly calls and other in-person meetings. There is no compensation or travel reimbursement from PLMA. PLMA By Laws and internal policies are posted on the Board of Directors Group Home Page at www.peakload.org/board-home-page - you must be signed in as a Board Member to access these documents.

Nomination Process. Any PLMA board member in good standing may self-nominate. If someone other than the board member from a PLMA member organization wishes to self-nominate, they must become the designed board member for their organization.  As a benchmark, you may view the Fall 2020 Executive Committee Ballot. 

Election Process. The Executive Committee election will be conducted electronically before the Board meeting takes place on November 14.  Candidates will be invited to record a brief statement for a Meet the Candidates webcast to be produced for Board members in October. The Election Policy and By-laws are posted behind your member password at www.peakload.org/board-home-page.

Sincerely,
Laurie Duhan
Election Officer

Primary Contact: Richard Philip, Executive Director, PLMA, [email protected]; (317) 691-8443
 

ecobee Launches Pilot Program with California Utility to Help Prevent Power Emergenciesecobee

Innovative pilot aimed at conserving energy and helping prevent power outages 

TORONTO – Sep. 9, 2022 – ecobee, a subsidiary of Generac Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC), today announced the launch of a pilot program with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) designed to help prevent power outages caused by extreme weather, sustained high heat, and natural disasters. In the event of an emergency, eligible ecobee customers in SDG&E’s service territory will receive a notification when slight, temporary temperature adjustments are needed on their ecobee smart thermostats to reduce demand and help avoid an outage. Customers can help their community by remaining opted into the program or they can skip the event if they’re unable to take part.

“At ecobee, we remain committed to offering innovative smart home solutions that address real problems customers are facing, such as the rise of power outages due to the prevalence of extreme weather brought on by climate change,” said Kari Binley, Senior Manager, Energy Partnerships at ecobee. “We’re excited to launch this new and innovative solution with SDG&E, which will allow more ecobee Smart Owners in California to help their communities and automatically conserve energy without sacrificing their comfort, all while helping to create a more resilient power grid.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States recorded 22 weather and climate disasters in 2020, a nearly 40 percent increase from the year before. As extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe due to climate change, electricity experts and California officials have warned that states may not have enough power to continue to reliably meet demand.

The power grid is a challenging balancing act – extreme weather, persistent heat waves and natural disasters cause increases in demand and stress on the power grid, resulting in energy shortages. Through participating in this pilot program during periods of extreme vulnerability for the electrical grid, ecobee and SDG&E customers can save energy and help prevent potential power outages in their communities.

CLICK HERE to read the full press release.
 
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