The OpenADR Alliance is pleased to introduce Mark Martinez. Mark has over 30 years of experience in energy markets, with expertise ranging from early load management research and demand-side program development to the integration of market systems and advanced software for cost-effective customer operations. As a representative of SCE, one of the founding members of the OpenADR Alliance, he has been instrumental in the adoption of the OpenADR standard.

In the section below, Mark addresses questions regarding his role in the industry and shares his insights on the future vision for the OpenADR Alliance.

Can you please provide your professional background and overview of SCE's role in the energy sector?
In my current role I manage the Southern California Edison (SCE) Emerging Markets and Technology program, which is a California Public Utilities Commission authorized research and development activity. The program identifies emerging technologies, software solutions, and strategies to help SCE’s mass market and large sector customers cost-effectively participate in our current portfolio of demand response programs. The program also works to identify and develop innovative customer end use and electric system grid collaborative process improvements to enhance system reliability, joint resiliency, and customer affordability. I have over 30 years of practice in these areas that have included early load management research and demand side management program development, integrating market systems and advanced software deployment for managing customer operations to reduce costs. During my career I have researched innovative electric customer technologies and performed evaluations and technology assessments in the areas of residential smart technologies, integrated distributed energy resources, commercial and industrial advanced energy controls, and water-energy nexus programs and services.

What is your motivation for being a board member of the OpenADR Alliance? In my career with SCE, I have seen how important it is to work with customers to ensure that they have the tools to be effective partners with our grid operations and also to work with the electric system markets to provide reliable and sustainable demand response programs for a wide range of use cases (emergency, market operations, local grid management). SCE was one of the founding members of the OpenADR Alliance. We saw the Alliance as a way to work with automation service providers and other technology companies to provide our customers a standardized, cost-effective, secure and effective method for communicating the needs of our local grid and eliciting effective automated demand side responses in real time.

What do you think are the biggest accomplishments the OpenADR Alliance has achieved?
The Alliance has been both an advocate for the energy service providers who utilize the OpenADR protocol and a market catalyst for the technology companies and software designers who work to improve and ensure the protocol is secure, effective and fair to all parties. The Alliance has made a significant impact not only in the United States, but was worked in other countries across international jurisdictions to provide a broader reach of the benefits that other utilities and energy agencies can achieve. The Alliance marketing services, social outreach and overall communications strategies have achieved significant uptake and awareness, highlighting the economic benefit for all members and supporters of the Alliance.

Can you give an overview of SCE's current use cases and implementation of the OpenADR standard?
SCE uses the OpenADR communications standard in all aspects of its demand response programs, pilots and studies to ensure that dispatch messaging is secure and reliable. These can include individual end uses ranging from appliances to large buildings or industrial facilities. SCE also provides financial assistance under its ADR Control Incentives Program that can offset the cost of installing qualifying Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS), also known as building management systems, so that they can respond automatically to the SCE dispatch signals. The EMCS can then manage the appropriate systems on behalf of the customer, which can include HVAC controls, lighting controls, and process controls. The EMCS helps automate a facility’s participation in DR Events and gives the customer the flexibility to alter their strategy or participation if needed.

Can you provide your vision for the future of the standard and the Alliance?
Secure and effective communication will be essential for the future electric grid to manage high growth, stabilize system operations during renewable energy fluctuations, and help prevent outages during peak demand periods like extreme heatwaves. By enabling automated, rapid responses, such as adjusting smart thermostats or managing EV charging without human intervention, the AutoDR communication standard improves efficiency, reduces grid costs, and offers customers financial benefits for participating in various utility programs, dynamic rates, and for those with smart electric devices. The Alliance has shown the courage to “think ahead of the curve” and do things differently, and to make technical progress and continuous improvement their strategic priority. This ensures that the relationship between customers and the grid will continue to evolve, ideally into a harmonious partnership for many years to come.