Join us in exploring smarter, more efficient energy solutions for everyone in our cooperative.
At DEMCO, we're committed to finding innovative ways to reduce energy costs for our member-owners by exploring opportunities to work together on "smart home" technologies that can help lower your monthly bill and reduce the co-op’s reliance on grid power.
What are DERs?
Historically, electricity has been generated from large, centralized power plants. While these plants will continue to play a critical role in power delivery, several technological breakthroughs have developed that enable small, distributed resources that contribute to meeting a utility’s demand. These distributed energy resources (or DERs) come in several forms, including (a) member-owned resources that can contribute power to the electric grid when not being used by the member (e.g. rooftop solar, residential battery storage, whole-home generators) and (b) member-owned devices that can be used to control how much electricity you need to power your home (e.g. smart thermostats, smart water heaters). Both types of technologies ultimately serve to reduce DEMCO’s reliance on grid power during periods of high electricity demand, enabling a healthier distribution system and opportunities for members to save money or achieve a greater return on their investments.
What is a DERMS program?
Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) are highly sophisticated software programs that are used to manage the various DERs on a utility’s system. These programs are being rolled out by many utilities nationwide, including electric cooperatives whose primary concerns include creating as much value for members as possible. DEMCO is exploring this initiative to see how it could benefit our members. By doing so, we can help reduce the overall demand on the grid and minimize the need to purchase additional power, which benefits everyone in our co-op community.
How It Works
A program like this leverages cutting-edge technologies like smart thermostats, whole-home generators, solar panels, and residential battery storage. These tools help balance power supply and demand, especially during high-demand periods. By adjusting energy usage during peak times, we could secure power at lower rates, ensuring you get the best possible price on your energy bill.
Why Your Participation Matters
As a member-owned cooperative, DEMCO is exploring how these "win-win" technologies could be implemented to reduce costs, improve reliability, and foster collaboration within our community. While we're still in the early stages, your interest and participation could play a key role in shaping the future of energy management at DEMCO.
Take Our Survey
We're conducting a survey to learn more about the devices you currently use and to gauge your interest in participating in programs like DERMS. Your feedback will help us understand if and how this program could benefit our members.
