What is the PowerShift® Program?
PowerShift® was developed in conjunction with our wholesale power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association (WVPA), to empower our members to join us in our efforts to control electric rates.
PowerShift® works by shifting electricity use from peak demand times to times of lesser demand via:
- Residential electric water heaters
- Central air-conditioners
- Seasonal agricultural loads
What is Peak Demand?
Electricity is produced for immediate use; it cannot be stored economically. Because of this, power plants must meet electrical requirements at all times.
- Peak demand refers to those periods when electric consumers collectively use the most electricity
- Generally electricity prices are higher during demand peaks
Why is Reducing it Important?
The price an REMC member must pay for electricity is partially based on how much power your local electric cooperative requires during these peak demand intervals:
- The hottest, most humid days each summer
- Coldest days of winter
Reducing the amount of power your cooperative uses on those days, as well as during other times throughout the year, can help to stabilize electric costs.
How Does PowerShift® Work?
- Members volunteer to have a load control receiver installed on their:
- Electric water heater
- Central air-conditioner
- Other special load (agricultural irrigation system, drainage pumps and grain dryers/fans)
- WVPA and Kankakee Valley REMC monitor electrical demand and weather conditions 24 hours a day
- When demand reaches extreme levels, a signal is transmitted over electric lines to the load control receivers
- The receivers temporarily switch off power to the units for a short period of time
The seasonal loads below are typically controlled for no longer than 3 hours at a time:
-
- Agricultural irrigation systems
- Drainage pumps
- Grain dryers/fans
Control Periods
- Air Conditioning: 4 to 7 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday (no weekends or holidays)
- Water heater: Times vary, Monday through Friday (no weekends or holidays)
You don’t lift a finger! Monitoring systems and the load control receiver do all the work at no cost to you. Members participating in this program can be notified when the peak periods occur.
How Does PowerShift® Benefit You?
By working together to reduce our demand for energy during peak times we can:
- Reduce Kankakee Valley REMC’s power costs
- Reduce the need to build power plants
- Lessen the impact on the environment
- Minimize the need to increase future electric rates
Bill Credits
- Central air-conditioner participants will receive an annual bill credit of $40 paid $10 per month during the months of June through September
- Participants in the water heater switch program receive an annual bill credit of $24 paid $2 per month
Alternative Rate Programs
Please contact our office for additional details on this program. The following seasonal loads are eligible for alternative rate programs:
- Agricultural irrigation systems
- Drainage pumps
- Grain dryers/fans
Joining PowerShift®
To qualify, you must:
- Be a full-time residential member with an electric water heater or central air-conditioner (5 tons or less)
- Own a single family home (renters can participate with landlord consent)
- Be any member with a seasonal agricultural load*
KV REMC pays for:
- The load control receiver
- Installation on water heaters and central air-conditioners
*Seasonal agricultural participants will receive the control device at no cost but must arrange their own installation
Members can cancel their participation in the program at any time at no charge.
Beat the Peak Program
Similarly to PowerShift®, Beat the Peak helps reduce power usage during peak times.
However, unlike PowerShift® that uses installed load controllers, Beat the Peak relies on member commitments to reduce power when the demand is high, typically 4 to 7 p.m. (CST) during the hot summer months.
When a peak situation exists, participating members will be notified by:
- Text
- Our website
Beat the Peak participants do not receive any bill credit incentives.
Conserve Energy
During extreme heat, more electricity is in demand. Participating members will be asked to conserve energy in the following ways:
- Turning off lights
- Adjusting thermostats up 3º F
- Delaying the use of hot water
- Delaying the use of appliances such as:
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Clothes dryers
- Electric ovens
By limiting electricity use during peak times, it minimizes our need to purchase power from the market at extremely high prices.