Demand Response Programs and Submetering in Ontario

Demand response programs pay participants to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods, helping maintain grid stability. Submetered buildings have a unique position in these programs because they have granular consumption data at the suite level.

Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) operates several demand response programs. These programs compensate participants for reducing their electricity consumption when the grid is under stress, typically during hot summer afternoons or cold winter mornings.

For multi-residential buildings, demand response participation is primarily managed at the building level through the bulk meter. However, submetering data can help building operators understand which loads are flexible and which are not, informing better demand response strategies.

Common demand response actions in multi-residential buildings include pre-cooling common areas before peak periods, adjusting lighting in common areas, managing elevator scheduling during peak events, and coordinating with residents who voluntarily reduce consumption.

Submetering data provides the measurement and verification needed to demonstrate demand reduction. Without suite-level data, it is difficult to quantify how much of a building's reduction came from common area measures versus resident behavior changes.

If your building is interested in demand response participation, contact your local distribution company or the IESO for information about current programs and eligibility requirements. Your submetering provider can help you understand your building's consumption patterns and identify potential flexibility.