Gas Demand Response Program
Firm customers in UNY can earn incentives for reducing energy use.
During the winter months, demand for natural gas is at its highest between the hours of 6am-10am and from 4pm-8pm. That’s when homes and businesses turn up the thermostat and production is at its highest.
Our Gas Demand Response Program is designed to reward businesses when they reduce their energy usage during times when demand is at its highest. This allows us to ensure the safe, reliable flow of energy to all, while reducing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
When you enroll in the program, we can alert you when low temperatures are forecasted to be 3°F or below during the program period. The program period runs from November 1 to March 31. Following the program period, eligible customers can receive an incentive for participation, even if the events are not called. There are no penalties associated with not performing during events.
Ready to get started?
Contact your Demand Response Aggregator or email our Gas Demand Response team.
Enrollment ends September 30, 2024.
Email Us Program Application Application Attachments Program Brochure
- Must be a customer on an uninterruptible, firm rate.
- Enrolled accounts must consume at least 4,000 dths per year or have peak consumption greater than 1 dth per hour.
- Customers enrolling in the Load Shedding option will require an alternate fuel source, such as oil, propane, or electric heating, to participate, or be willing to turn off non-heating loads (i.e., process loads, electric generation, etc.).
- Customers who opt for the Load Shifting option must reduce their gas usage during Gas Demand Events.
Customers may enroll 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. Please see the options below:
- Load Shedding
Customers who choose this option must be able to reduce gas consumption by shutting off non-heating gas equipment or switching to a backup, non-gas heating fuel source. - Load Shifting
Customers who can only shift gas loads to a different time period within the same day, and/or do not have a backup fuel system, are encouraged to participate in the Load Shifting option.
| Option | Event Window |
|---|---|
| Load Shedding DR |
6-10am |
| Load Shifting DR | 6-10am |
Demand Response Events may be called for days when forecasts indicate the low temperature at either Syracuse Airport or Albany International Airport will be at or below 3° F.
*Events may start in the 4pm-8pm window and finish the next day following the 6am-10am period.
The incentive for this program is based on the amount of reduction you can offer and the option you choose and is subject to your performance during events. An estimate of your incentive is up to 15% of your annual spend. The following are the incentive rates for both reservation and performance rates:
| Option | Event Window | Reservation Rate | Performance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load Shedding DR |
6-10am |
$40/Event Dth/Mo | $20/Dth |
| Load Shifting DR | 6-10am | $40/Event Dth/Mo | $20/Dth |
Customers who successfully reduce natural gas usage during these times will earn financial incentives while helping manage gas demand and supporting the clean energy transition.
You will have the option to increase your earnings up to 20% when applying your incentive to an energy efficiency project. The deadline to apply for the additional incentive is May 31, 2025 and is based on funding.
*Events may start in the 4pm-8pm window and finish the next day following the 6am-10am period.
- 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, or be willing to turn off non-heating loads (i.e., process loads, electric generation, etc.). Other customers may opt for the Load Shifting option. Participating customers must reduce their gas usage during Demand Response Program Events. The Demand Response Program Events will only last for a pre-determined period of time (please see the incentives table for participation time options).
- The program season runs from November 1 through March 31.
- Demand Response Program Events may be called for days when forecasts indicate the low temperature at either Syracuse Airport or Albany International Airport will be at or below 3° 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. National Grid equipment and installation are free. However, there may be costs to you associated with electrical or communications fill-out needs.
- Notifications for events will be sent no less than 20 hours before the start of an event (i.e. by 10 am the day prior to the event morning).
- Incentive payments will be mailed out within 90 days of the end of the season. 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 customers in National Grid’s Upstate New York service territory, which belongs to the following Service Classifications: SC-2, SC-5, SC 7, SC-8, SC-12.
- Most customers can earn incentives of up to 15% of their annual gas bill. Incentives will be calculated based on the quantity enrolled and performance during events in the season.
Customer Success Story
UNY hospital earns financial incentives with Gas Demand Response program
After earning nearly $31,000 in incentives for participating, it was easy for Glen Falls Hospital to convince other hospitals in the Albany Med Health System to participate this winter. Participation reduces strain on the gas system and ensures that the community has natural gas on very cold days.
Other ways we can help your business save:
Keep costs down and sustainability up with our energy-efficiency and sustainability programs for businesses in upstate NY.
Extend your participation to the next season and get credited for every kWh reduced during peak times.