| Reducing the Risk of Ontario summer blackouts |
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Energy Advantage and Cadillac Fairview close deal to develop Cadillac Fairview's Demand Response capability in Ontario during the peak summer periods and reduce risk of blackout periods. Burlington, ON, June 13, 2007- Energy Advantage Inc., Canada's leading provider of total energy and environmental management services has entered into an agreement to assist Cadillac Fairview in the development of its Demand Response capability. With a Demand Response program, Cadillac Fairview will strategically reduce electricity use during times of high Ontario spot prices. Cadillac Fairview will benefit by (1) reducing electricity cost by cutting back when prices are high, and (2) by participating in a Demand Response program sponsored by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), Cadillac Fairview will, in effect be paid for capacity it makes available to the Ontario grid. Energy consumption during times of heavy demand across the province will be reduced. Cadillac Fairview's investment in Demand Response benefits all of Ontario by alleviating demand on the power grid when needed most – thereby increasing reliability at critical times. Electricity prices can rise very quickly in today's deregulated markets, and tend be volatile in the summer months. When energy use is too great for the suppliers to cope with, we enter a period of brownouts and, eventually, blackouts. The Northeast power outage in August 2003 affected nearly ten million people in the province of Ontario and resulted in financial losses estimated at $6.8 billion. Reliable and affordable electricity is one of the basic requirements for almost any business in today's technology-driven world. Energy Advantage's Demand Response service will enable large institutional, commercial and industrial businesses to respond to these demand-driven high-energy prices and manage the associated risks. When demand on the electricity grid reaches capacity, and as energy prices simultaneously soar, businesses can strategically reduce their energy usage. Cadillac Fairview is taking a lead role in employing Demand Response services to reduce energy use in some of Ontario's premier shopping centers such as Erin Mills Town Center. This will have a significant impact in terms of reducing energy use. "We are pleased to launch this service and to work with Cadillac Fairview in preparation for the summer period when electricity use peaks. Demand Response represents a cost-effective way to reduce energy cost. In the new environment of conservation, Cadillac Fairview will be making a very direct and measurable reduction in its demand on the Ontario electricity grid", says Don McLean, Vice President of Demand Response at Energy Advantage, Inc. The Energy Advantage Demand Response program is tailored exactly to the customer's needs. Energy Advantage will assess the customer's potential to curtail energy use and design and implement programs for doing this. The process is constantly monitored to ensure maximum success. "We wanted to come up with a cost-effective program that allowed us to reduce our usage during peak energy price periods. Energy Advantage's independence allowed us to objectively select technology and/or awareness programs based on the need of each building", says Rick Heward Cadillac Fairview This combined approach will ensure an aggressive ROI for the customer as risk is managed and overall energy costs are cut. The program will also appeal to those concerned about Corporate Social Responsibility since participation in the program means energy is left on the grid during peak demand. Risk of brownouts and blackouts should then become a thing of the past. - 30 - Editorial Contacts:
Dan Morel |