National Grid pilots Leap’s distributed energy platform

Energy market access provider Leap and National Grid have announced a pilot project to provide demand response (DR) in New York City by using Leap’s distributed energy software platform.

The collaboration will help National Grid reduce electricity consumption at four of its New York City offices during times when conservation is most critical to the regional electric grid.

Leap’s API and automated technology platform enable distributed energy resources (DERs), including thermostats, EV chargers, HVAC systems and more to respond to real-time pricing signals. In this way, it aims to contribute crucial flexibility to a stressed grid.

By aggregating flexible loads from an array of DERs, Leap hopes to allow grid operators to utilise distributed demand side resources to balance the grid.

In this way, it also hopes to lead to cleaner air by reducing reliance on fossil-fueled ‘peaker’ plants that are commonly activated when energy demand is high.

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Shri Madhusudhan, head of New York operations support at National Grid, commented on National Grid’s commitment to reducing energy consumption to help with New York’s climate targets. Madhusudhan related the announcement to National Grid’s clean energy vision: “Energy efficiency is the first pillar in National Grid’s clean energy vision.

“Building energy systems and other distributed assets on the grid have an essential role to play in the interactive energy system of the future. Leap’s platform makes it easy for building owners to achieve savings while supporting a cleaner, more resilient electric grid.”

Each facility will participate in Consolidated Edison’s Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP) and Distribution Load Relief Program (DLRP), as each location is in Con Edison’s electricity service area. The CSRP and DLRP pay businesses to curtail energy when the New York grid is stressed due to demand for electricity exceeding its supply.

Each site will provide capacity and, if needed, load reduction to help balance the electric grid.

Thomas Folker, co-founder and CEO of Leap, stated the project will help mitigate New York’s use of inefficient and expensive electrical generation options and will “increase grid stability and bring down the cost of electricity for all”, while providing substantial grid and environmental benefits.

With Leap’s help, National Grid will participate in the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO’s) Special Case Resources (SCR) Program at Grid’s Greenpoint, Forest Avenue, Farmers Boulevard and Gulf Avenue locations.