The Challenge
With nine backup generators on-site, this hospital was well-positioned to earn payments through ERCOT’s demand response (DR) program in Texas, which compensates large energy users that agree to reduce energy consumption when the grid is under duress.
However, the hospital faced two challenges:
- Compliance: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations restrict DR participation to generators that meet strict standards on performance and hazardous air pollutants, which may require costly equipment upgrades.
- Operational: To participate, the facility would need to be able to transition its full electric load on and off its generators with no interruption to power service.
The Solution
Enel X determined that seven of the diesel engines needed upgrades to qualify for DR, while two engines were already compliant.
Enel X financed and implemented the upgrades through an agreement that deducted the project costs—which exceeded $378K—from the future DR payments, enabling the hospital to maximize its earnings without making an upfront investment.
Through the agreement, Enel X also:
- Conducts tests and dispatch simulations to ensure the facility’s backup generators are capable of performing when needed
- Provides advance notification of potential grid instability, enabling the facility to prepare for heightened risk of an outage
- Ensures the facility responds when called upon and receives maximum payments in return
- Provides visibility into energy consumption data so the engineering team can review its performance and overall operational behavior
Results
The upgrades enabled the hospital to enroll 4.2 MW of electric load into ERCOT’s DR program, which will earn the organization more than $467K in payments in five years after deducting the upgrade costs.
