National Grid (US)

What is the Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP)?

Throughout the Summer, there are times when electricity use in National Grid service territory reaches its highest levels. Lowering overall energy demand during these peak events helps reduce National Grid’s need for costly infrastructure upgrades and helps minimize carbon emissions. To support these important goals, National Grid partners with Curtailment Service Providers (CSPs) to help Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers identify the right plan for their operations. The Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP) is one of National Grid’s Electric Demand Response (DR) programs, and CSRP participants can benefit by:

• Earning financial incentives
• Conserving energy and demonstrating commitment to sustainability
• Ensure reliable power to communities by improving system-wide performance

Financial incentives are based on performance. CSRP participants will receive Reservation Payments for each capability period month in which they are enrolled. Performance Payments will be paid for the hours of performance for both planned and unplanned events. Monthly Incentives will be based on the average performed curtailment amount for all events and determined by a Performance Factor applied to each customer, which is calculated by taking actual event curtailment divided by enrolled curtailment.

Current CSRP Opportunities

There is currently an active opportunity. The program capability period runs from May 1 or June 1 through September 30. Customers must enroll by April 1 for a May 1 start, and enroll by May 1 for a June 1 start for the capability period. A brief overview of the program is available below:

Incentives: Participation payments are based on performance. Participants will receive Reservation Payments for each capability period month in which they are enrolled. Performance Payments will be paid for the hours of performance for both planned and unplanned events.

Payment Structure: Participants can choose either the Reservation Payment or Voluntary Payment Option: ‍

• Reservation Payment Option: $2.75/kW-month for the reservation payment + $0.18/kWh for the performance payment for planned events.‍
• Voluntary Payment Option: $0.16/kWh performance payment for planned event and $0.19/kWh performance payment for unplanned events.

Calculation: Monthly incentives will be based on the average performed curtailment amount for all events and determined by a Performance Factor applied to each customer, which is calculated by taking actual event curtailment divided by enrolled curtailment. Please refer to Section 7 of the CSRP Program Guidelines for more information.

Baseline: Performance is based on the Customer Baseline Line (CBL) methodology. CSPs and Direct Participants select either the Average Day or Weather Adjusted CBL for each account number when enrolling in the program. Please refer to the CBL Baseline Methodology below for more information.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Direct Participant: Customers can participate through an approved Curtailment Service Provider (CSP) or must be able to curtail 50kW individually. You can become a CSP by creating an account on the Piclo platform and submitting your materials there.
• Customer Tariffs: Customers must be served under service classification numbers 1, 1C, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 7, or 12.
• Metering: Participants must have a communicating Billing Interval Meter. Please call National Grid Customer Service at 1-800-932-0301 to inquire about obtaining an interval (hourly) meter.
• Operations:
  
  • Test Event: National Grid may request a one-hour event with 21+ hours advance notice. If called, performance payments are paid out as in a planned event.
  • Planned vs. Unplanned Events: Planned events are scheduled and customers/CSPs are notified with 21+ hours’ advance notice. Unplanned events are called with less than 21 hours of notice, are optional, and are not performance-based.‍

Program Materials

• CSRP Program Guidelines
• Incentive Statement
• CSRP Application
• CBL Baseline Methodology

Additional information about CSRP can be found on the National Grid Electric Demand Response Programs website.

Steps to Participate in CSRP

1. Review the CSRP program materials published on the National Grid Electric Demand Response website.
2. Complete the CSRP application and email it to DR@nationalgrid.com.
   
   1. You can also complete the application to become a Curtailment Service Provider (CSP) by creating an account on the Piclo platform and submitting your materials there.