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REP Coalition Proposes REP-Driven Smart Thermostat Market Transformation Program Under TDUs’ Efficiency Plans
Excerpts from the REP Coalition Proposal:
“The Alliance for Retail Markets and the Texas Energy Association for Marketers (collectively, the REP Coalition) proposed at the Texas PUC a template for a Smart Thermostat Pilot Market Transformation Program, under which REPs would be paid an incentive under the TDUs’ energy efficiency program to provide smart thermostats to residential customers.”
“The REP Coalition believes this program would support the deployment of smart thermostats thereby increasing automated demand response capabilities in the ERCOT market through residential customer participation in demand response programs offered by REPs. As such, the Program could potentially be used to address Senate Bill 1699’s requirement that a program be adopted that would begin to facilitate the deployment of appliances and capable of being part of demand response products offered by REPs,”
“The Smart Thermostat Pilot Market Transformation Program (Program) provides incentives for programs offered by Retail Electric Providers (REPs) for the deployment and installation of smart thermostats for residential customers. Participants include residential customers and REPs. REPs may elect to enroll participants in a REP-administered demand response program, which is outside the scope of this program,”
“REP Participants must verify installation of an eligible smart thermostat and submit sufficient supporting documentation to be entitled to receive the incentive payment,”
“Installation technicians will confirm installation of smart thermostat by recording and submitting the thermostat serial number to the participating REP. REPs will demonstrate control capability to ensure the thermostats are installed and operational. The REP shall also submit sufficient documentation to support its incentive request,”
“Program savings are determined using the deemed energy efficiency savings calculations in the Texas Technical Reference Manual (TRM). Final Program payments are determined by established Program rules, based on the smart thermostat brands eligible for participation, and incentive cost-effectiveness,”
“Upon verification of installation of the smart thermostat at the customer’s premise and submission of sufficient supporting documentation, REPs shall receive the incentive established by the TDU for the installation of the eligible smart thermostats. Incentives will be processed using TDU normal incentive payment procedures,”
Project 38578 (0819/2010)
(Energy Efficiency Implementation Project Under 16 Tac § 25.181)
