Demand Response Program
Natural Gas Demand Response Program for Firm Customers
Let’s work together to lower energy demand.
During the winter months, demand for natural gas is at its highest between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. That’s when homes and businesses are turning up the thermostat, and production is at its highest. Lowering the demand for energy during these periods allows us to better manage our system for all customers, and reduces the need for costly infrastructure upgrades while keeping everyone’s carbon footprint in check.
Become a program participant and earn incentives.
The first step is to determine which option is right for your business—Load Shedding or Load Shifting. Your incentive amount will be based on the amount of reduction you can offer within your plan.
- For Load Shedding options, customers must be able to reduce gas consumption by shutting off non-heating gas equipment or switching to a backup, non-gas heating fuel source. Customers who can only shift gas loads to a different time period within the same day, and do not have a backup fuel system, are encouraged to participate in the Load Shifting option.
- Participants are requested to curb their natural gas usage when the temperature is expected to be 10 degrees or lower.
- Events may be called between November 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023
- Following the program period, eligible customers can receive an incentive for participation, even if events are not called. There are no penalties associated with not performing during events.
Ready to get started?
* Please select option #4 (Commercial Gas Energy Efficiency Program Information) and leave your contact information: name/organization, phone #, email address. We will get back to you shortly.
Learn more
Customers may enroll in the Companies' Commercial, Industrial and Multifamily Programs directly with National Grid (as a Direct Participant) or through a Third-Party Aggregator. A direct participant may self-aggregate multiple individual accounts of their own.
The incentive for this program is based on the amount of reduction you can offer within the plan option you choose, subject to your performance during events. An estimate of your incentive is up to 15% of your annual gas spend. Please see the table below for participation options. Your maximum potential incentive will be estimated during review of your application. The Direct Control participation option earns higher incentives. “Direct Control” means National Grid is able to switch customer equipment during tests or events.
Load Shedding Demand Response Program
| Option | Event Hours | Direct Load Control |
|---|---|---|
| Non-DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4PM-8PM | No |
| DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4PM-8PM | Yes |
Load Shifting Demand Response Program
| Option | Event Hours | Direct Load Control |
|---|---|---|
| Load shifting | 6-10AM | No |
The following are the Winter 2022-2023 incentive rates for both reservation and performance payments:
| Program Option – Load Shedding | Event Window(s) | Reservation Payment | Performance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4-8PM | $46/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
| DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4-8PM | $55/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
| Program Option – Load Shifting | Event Window(s) | Reservation Payment | Performance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non DLC | 6-10AM | $50/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
Note: 1 Dekatherm (Dth) = 10 Therms (Th) = approx. 1,000,000 BTU’s.
- This program is NOT available to interruptible or Non-Firm service customers. Customers enrolling in the Load Shedding option will require an alternate fuel source, such as oil, propane, or electric heating, to participate. Customers willing to turn off non-heating loads (i.e., process loads, electric generation, etc.) are also encouraged to participate. Participating customers must reduce their gas usage during Demand Response Event days. The Demand Response Events will only last for a pre-determined period of time (please see previous table for participation time options).
- Demand Response Events may be called for days when forecasts indicate the low temperature at either Republic Airport or LaGuardia Airport will be at or below 10° F.
- Your rate won’t change, which means no changes to your bills, billing cycle, or anything else.
- We will arrange the installation of simple devices that will allow us to monitor your usage and possibly switch your equipment during events if you choose the Direct Control option. National Grid equipment and installation is free. However, there may be costs to you associated with electrical fit-out needs or customer equipment compatibility.
- Notifications for events will be sent no less than 20 hours before the start of an event (i.e. by 10AM the day prior to the event morning).
- Incentive payments will be mailed out within 90 days of March 31, 2023. Incentive levels are based on customer-enrolled demand reduction amounts, subject to performance during events. There are no penalties associated with not performing during an event.
- Program available to National Grid Firm Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Family customers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island (excludes Staten Island).
- Customers can earn incentives of up to 15% of their annual gas bill. Incentives will be calculated based on performance during events in the season.
- Program Details (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Ready to get started?
* Please select option #4 (Commercial Gas Energy Efficiency Program Information) and leave your contact information: name/organization, phone #, email address. We will get back to you shortly.