Microfield’s EnergyConnect Provides Automated Synchronous Reserve Services Systems at University of Pennsylvania and Haverford College
PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Microfield Group, Inc. (”Microfield”) (OTCBB: MICG - News) today announced that its subsidiary, EnergyConnect, Inc. (”EnergyConnect”), is installing its completely integrated and automated solution for Synchronous Reserve Services (SRS) at the University of Pennsylvania and at Haverford College. SRS is the first line of defense that grid operators maintain for responding to system disturbances and has historically been a service only supplied by large power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved provision of this service by consumers in the PJM Interconnection. SRS is purchased by the grid operator (PJM) from large users that can quickly increase output from on-site generation or reduce their electricity within ten minutes. EnergyConnect’s system enables participation in this service for consumers who otherwise could not partake in it.
When EnergyConnect receives a request from the PJM Independent System Operator to provide needed Synchronous Reserve Services a signal will be sent automatically to the command center at University of Pennsylvania to initiate and provide these services. ECI’s system will collect the required meter data and will provide the data seamlessly to PJM as validation of the delivery of the SRS. ECI will also provide bidding and settlement services as part of the contract with Penn.
At Haverford College, the same services are deployed, however ECI will connect directly to the on-site generation and will automatically start the generation when it receives a signal from PJM. ECI’s automated system also communicates an alert to the Participant’s cell phone, land line, pager, and e-mail.
Liz Kimmel, EnergyConnect’s Director of Business Development, said, “The deployment at these two prestigious universities will act as a catalyst for the SRS program and will provide validation to the value proposition for other potential participants. Both universities will receive significant financial benefit for their participation in the PJM SRS program.”
EnergyConnect, Inc. is the leading provider of Energy Automation services. More than just demand response, EnergyConnect’s Energy Automation solutions proactively engage energy market participants, Independent System Operators, Regional Transmission Organizations and Electric Utilities. EnergyConnect is on the web at www.EnergyConnectInc.com.
About Microfield Group, Inc.
Microfield Group combines selling wholesale services to regional power grids with traditional electrical contracting and design and integration of infrastructure for wind, solar and other distributed power systems. This combination provides the platform to be a contributor to the growing alternative energy industry and to provide business processes and software capabilities that link the adjustment of consumer energy consumption to the wholesale electric market. Microfield utilizes consumers of electricity to generate revenue from the regional grids and serves this market through proprietary software and models that enable consumers to adjust use, provide prices to determine beneficial actions, and automate all aspects of the process. Microfield is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and its common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “MICG.” Additional information about Microfield is available at www.microfield.com.
Posted on Friday, January 19th, 2007 - Press Releases