Update to the OpenADR Specification

2022 has been an exciting time in the electricity industry with the planned introduction of new dynamic pricing in California, Hawaii and elsewhere, and the OpenADR Alliance has been actively considering how best to continue to support utilities, retailers, and customers, along with its core focus on members. 

A team of experts representing a cross section of the OpenADR community began discussing ideas for improvements to the specification in 2021. The ‘Profile Working Group’ began by collecting high-level concepts and comments and discussing them in a series of teleconferences. 

OpenADR at RE+
New Applications in Solar, Storage and EV Infrastructure

OpenADR exhibited at RE+ in Anaheim in September.  Having participated in predecessor show Solar Power International, it is clear that the rapid evolution of solar/storage or hybrid solar developments have created new demand for OpenADR.  RE+ is:

The largest and most comprehensive event in North America for the clean energy industry, RE+ is comprised of: Solar Power International (our flagship event), Energy Storage International, RE+ Power (including wind, and hydrogen and fuel cells), and RE+ Infrastructure (electric vehicles and microgrids) and brings together an extensive alliance of renewable energy leaders for multiple days of programming and networking opportunities.

OpenADR: A Game Changer in a Foreseeable Crisis

Wrap up and keep warm the motto for the upcoming winter months ahead in Europe. Natural gas is vital to most countries and today more than ever for Europe's economy.  Europe is at the brink of an energy crisis, due to Russia limiting natural gas supplies as tensions continue to escalate over Ukraine.  According to industry reports natural gas and electricity prices are estimated to be a 1,000% higher than the levels seen in the last decade.

OpenADR Alliance Making its Mark

By Rolf Bienert, Don Dulchinos, and Shannon Mayette, OpenADR Alliance

OpenADR Back to Face-to-Face Events at

Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America

By Don Dulchinos, Market Facilitation, OpenADR Alliance

The OpenADR Alliance was a sponsor partner for the 2022 Intersolar and Energy Storage North America Show, which this year had a heavy focus on battery technology and its integration with the grid.  The show was our first in-person event in the US in two years. Despite the pandemic there were around 275 exhibitors and 4,500 attendees.

Combining OpenADR and EEBUS Equals Full Energy Control
By Rolf Bienert, Managing and Technical Director, OpenADR Alliance

The energy supply is becoming more and more decentralized and volatile, while at the same time mobility and the heating transition are putting a significant load on the grid. This requires a seamless exchange of information between the grid and energy consumers or generators in residential and commercial buildings. EEBUS provides the standard for energy networking behind the grid connection and thus enables load and tariff management at the point of transfer to the building.

Summary

In 2021 we saw things settle back to a more normal state, while still needing to stay flexible and resilient to steer new virus variants, travel mandates, etc. Although in person participation for events was limited the OpenADR Alliance hosted a number of webinars with key partners including a two-day OpenADR Summit. This event included presentations from industry experts and was open to all professionals interested in gaining a better understanding of how the OpenADR standard is being applied in the electricity market and other distribution system reliability activities. You can find the 2021-webinar information at https://www.openadr.org/webinar-series and https://www.openadr.org/virtual-openadr-summit-2021.

Further Activities and Initiatives

In addition to the above, we participated in close to a dozen industry events including DistribuTECH+ where we moderated a virtual panel session Beyond the Plug with panelists from Xcel Energy, Ford Motor, General Motors and Detroit Energy. We wrapped up 2021 at Enlit Europe in Milan, Italy where we showcased the latest developments with OpenADR adoption in Europe, which includes deployments by utilities and their partners in the U.K. and Germany.

OpenADR Focus on European Flexible Power

By Don Dulchinos, OpenADR Alliance

OpenADR Alliance: 2020 Year in review and 2021 Outlook
Rolf Bienert, Executive and Technical Director, OpenADR Alliance

GUEST Q&A Blog with Michel Kohanim, CEO of Universal Devices
-Rolf Bienert, Managing and Technical Director, OpenADR Alliance

The OpenADR 2.0 Demand Response Program Guide was designed to further the interoperability of products certified as OpenADR compliant. The certification program is a simple add-on to the current OpenADR 2.0b Profile Certification that is being required by utilities worldwide. To date a number of utilities and manufacturers support the DR Program Guide and certification program.

Guest Blog Q&A with Jan Klube, EVP, Engineering, Electriq Power
By Rolf Bienert, Technical and Managing Director, OpenADR Alliance

It is exciting to see more members participating in the OpenADR 2.0 DR Program testing and certification program.  This is key in getting other members on board to participate in the program so utilities can benefit from the value it provides.

Why the OpenADR International Symposium is a Must-Attend Event – By Rolf Bienert, Managing and Technical Director, OpenADR Alliance

We all have hectic schedules these days and finding time to attend events has become more and more difficult. Most would agree, however, that networking with industry colleagues and subject matter experts in person offers an undeniable benefit, thanks to the new business and learning opportunities that are created.

Japan's move to open its electric energy sector to new entrants presents a ripe business opportunity for U.S. consultancies and other firms and organizations wanting to help it make the transition.

OpenADR Alliance

When you enjoy the position of being the only global standard, it seems only natural that you'll be called upon to consult with new markets. That's how the OpenADR Alliance, based in California, got involved in Japan's move to a competitive market.

Schneider Electric announced its partnership with IPKeys Technologies, LLC, a provider of standards based energy interoperations software, network communications engineering, and enterprise security solutions that enable energy providers and their customers to achieve a more reliable, safer, and more economically beneficial smart grid.

Utilizing the OpenADR 2.0b protocol, facilities benefit from increased flexibility and improved usability for better customer experience and enhanced performance. Read more: http://www.directionsmag.com/pressreleases/ipkeys-power-partners-teams-with-schneider-electric-to-provide-enhanced-ene/453542

EnTouch Controlslaunched the Advanced Peak Energy Management service to enable restaurant and retail facilities to reduce monthly energy spending by curtailing the amount of energy used during peak demand hours. The EnTouch360° building control platform is OpenADR 2.0 certified, which makes it possible for restaurant and retail facilities to receive electrical rate information and participate in demand response and peak demand programs. To view article click here: http://www.energymanagertoday.com/demand-response-restaurants-retail-0114003/

The OpenADR standard for automated demand response is often misunderstood as just a standard for demand response. In fact, it is a powerful standard capable of supporting a broad spectrum of applications that fall under the demand response umbrella. As the only global standard for demand response, OpenADR is uniquely positioned to address a multitude of load control and load management applications. To view article click here http://www.greenbiz.com/article/how-utilities-can-help-fix-smart-grid-education-problem

Siemens’ SureGrid detects the grid-responsive potential in every building energy controller. To view entire article please visit: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/will-building-energy-controls-and-demand-response-converge

When choosing thermostats which are the best options for Bring Your Own Thermostat programs, always look for OpenADR 2.0b certification. OpenADR 2.0b is a standard-based communication protocol that helps improve energy savings and ease of participation in demand response programs. To view entire article visit: http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/15/03/why-utilities-need-embrace-new-connected-technology

"As more consumers subscribe to smart home services, they begin to realize there are other things they can easily add to the system, like thermostats," said Barry Haaser, Managing Director, OpenADR Alliance; President, Lakeview Group. "Likewise, for those purchasing smart thermostats, they will tap into the ecosystem supporting that particular platform and purchase other smart products. We are already seeing impressive sales of smart thermostats, so we know that consumers are willing to spend more for smart products. Smart Energy Summit offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the next wave of smart products, including multiprotocol gateways that will allow use of different brands and technologies together in a single, unified system."http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/one-third-us-broadband-households-interested-bundling-energy-service-with-hvac-maintenance-1992309.htm

Southern California Edison is the latest utility to pilot the use of electric vehicles for grid services. SCE is using 80 level 2 chargers at different utility facilities for the project in order to test various pricing options for demand response events.

“This is the largest deployment of charge stations enabled for demand response today,” said Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots, the company that will provide the smart charging platform for the pilot.  To read entire article visit: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/sce-tests-electric-vehicles-for-demand-response