Abstract

The M2M Agricultural Load Control Program in California’s Central Valley project includes the deployment of a voluntary demand response program and customer devices for agricultural customers. The program operates in the service territories of Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. M2M is installing direct load control devices for irrigation and food processing facilities, along with enhanced communications infrastructure and energy Web portals. M2M also provides analytics and software for bidding into the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) demand response market. The project aims to reduce peak electricity demand and overall energy usage during the growing season. The project implements two-way communications and automated demand response applications to: (1) allow customers to view and manage their energy consumption at their convenience through the customer Web portal, and (2) allow M2M to manage, measure, aggregate, and verify targeted demand reduction.