PEORIA, Ariz. (Dec. 9, 2010) – By
modifying operations schedules at two water-reclamation facilities, Peoria has
earned a rebate of almost $19,000 on its electric bill.
Representatives from Arizona Public Service and
its demand-management contractor, Comverge, last week presented the city with an
$18,785 check for reducing energy demand during the summer.
Earlier this year, the Peoria’s Beardsley and
Jomax water-reclamation facilities began participating in a new APS
energy-management program called APS Peak Solutions. Under the program,
commercial customers agree to reduce energy consumption on peak demand days in
exchange for an annual thank-you check.
“By shifting or delaying some high-energy
processes for a few hours, our water-reclamation facilities are able to assist
APS in meeting its peak demands and save the city money,” said Deputy Public
Works-Utilities Director Brian Biesemeyer. “This is just one of a number of
electrical savings measures that the water and wastewater utility divisions have
implemented to reduce cost and keep our rates as low as possible.”
APS customers use the most electricity in the
summer, which puts a strain on the power system. To avoid outages on high-demand
days, APS must either buy electricity on the open market or build costly new
power plants – both of which would increase rates. APS Peak Solutions helps
ensure electricity reliability and minimize rate increases by providing
financial incentives to commercial customers to conserve energy.
“APS and Comverge thank the city of Peoria for
its participation in the APS Peak Solutions demand response program,” said
Comverge Account Manager John King. “With Peoria’s help, we were able to reduce
overall energy demand by 33.5 megawatts. Your participation in the APS Peak
Solutions Program not only benefits the city, but also benefits our community
and our shared environment.”
The rebate is based on the amount of capacity and
energy reduction during the program year. It doesn’t cost the city anything to
participate.
According to Biesemeyer, Peoria participates in a
similar program with Salt River Project, earning rebates worth $13,205 in 2009
and $17,929 so far in 2010.
