GridReward, a groundbreaking program and accompanying free, mobile app that pays users up to 20% of their annual energy bill for reducing usage at peak demand hours will expand its imprint throughout Westchester County, following a successful summer pilot program initiated by Sustainable Westchester.
Any Con Edison customer can participate in this first-of-its kind, cash-payout energy efficiency program by downloading the GridRewards app via the App Store or Google Play. Working in partnership with Con Edison by leveraging smart meter technology, the GridRewards app prompts users to take simple electricity reducing actions during high demand time periods, earning cash for participants and diminishing the need of pollution-inducing “peaker” powerplants.
After a successful summer pilot in 2020, where participants earned hundreds of dollars for energy saving actions, Sustainable Westchester is rolling out GridRewards as a long-term initiative to keep the most polluting “peaker” powerplants off the grid. The award-winning technology was developed by AI technology leader Logical Buildings.
“The partnership adds another first to market solution for Westchester residents,” says Michel Delafontaine, director of Business Development. “It brings a solution that helps build toward a clean energy future for our municipal members and their residents.
GridRewards has the unique ability to offer residents the opportunity to reduce energy usage, save money, lower their carbon footprint
and earn real cash.
How it Works
When energy is peaking on the grid, Con Edison pays GridRewards participants to help curb usage. Simple actions, such as raising cooling setpoints by 4 degrees for a handful of designated periods in the summer, can earn a check in the mail. Additional activities, like dimming
lights, avoiding electric hot water heating, and unplugging energy-intensive appliances, will add to these cash rewards and, concurrently, lower monthly utility bills. Without having to invest in hardware or equipment of any sort, Con Edison customers who have smart meters can watch their energy usage drop in real time on the app.
Following the successful pilot program this past summer, the program roll-out was launched in conjunction with the free app in the fall. Consumers in the pilot program received an average of $200 in cash or 20% of their annual electric bill. To date, more than three million
smart meters have been installed in the New York Tri-State area by Con Edison, all of which are accessible through the app.
(Submitted)
