Search
  • For assistance, call Center Support at (866) 541-7920 during the hours of 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT Monday – Friday.

Plan-it Wise Energy Program

Planet Wise Logo

Program Description: A pilot program designed to test several different rate structures to discover what is most effective in reducing electricity usage during peak periods.

Program Timing:

  • Enrollment Period: November 2008 to March 2009
  • Technology Installation: December 2008 to April 2009
  • Pilot Period: June 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009
  • Report filing with the Connecticut DPUC: by December 31, 2009

Call Center Support:

  • A dedicated call center has been established to handle all Plan-it Wise Energy program-related calls. Please call (866) 541-7920 during the hours of 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT Monday – Friday.

Customers Participating:

  • 1,500 CL&P commercial and industrial (C&I) customers in rate classes 30 and 35 whose monthly demand is below 300 kilowatts and who meet eligibility criteria.
  • 1,500 CL&P residential customers in Stamford and Hartford who meet eligibility criteria.

Program Benefits:

  • Help customers reduce the amount of electricity used during peak pricing rate periods, to better control the size of their electricity bills.
  • Help CL&P determine the most beneficial ways to maintain the reliability of the power delivery system and avoid problems that other parts of the country are facing when too much demand is placed on a system.
  • Help the environment by reducing peak-time consumption, which generates a disproportionate amount of emissions because less efficient and often less environmental friendly generation is used to meet demand.
  • Potentially reduce the need to build more power plants in years to come.

Other Benefits:

    C&I customers
  • Acknowledgement of their organization, along with other Plan-it Wise Program participants, in local newspaper advertising.
  • An official CL&P Plan-it Wise Program decal to place in their business.

Technology being tested:

     
Smart Meter An electric meter measuring usage at hourly intervals. Smart Meter

Randomly selected participants will also receive one of the following:

     
Smart Thermostat A programmable thermostat which helps customers manage their premise’s temperature. Smart Thermostat
Control Switch Allows CL&P to help C&I customers manage their electric usage by turning the air conditioner off and then on during predetermined periods. Control Switch
Energy Orb Alerts the customer of a change in electric rates by changing color. Energy Orb
In-Home Energy Display Provides real-time feedback on approximately how much electricity the customer's home is using at any point in time; can help the customer monitor and shift usage to off-peak time. In-Home Energy Display

Pilot Rate Structures being tested:

  • Peak Time Pricing (PTP)
    • Electricity used during peak time will cost more than the normal flat rate and electricity used off-peak will cost less.
    • Peak time will only occur during 4-hour “peak time events” which will be called by CL&P when demand for electricity reaches a critical level, and will occur no more than 10 days during the entire pilot. Typically this will occur between 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. EDT weekdays.
  • Peak Time Rebate (PTR)
    • The same peak time events called for PTP will be used for PTR.
    • Peak time will only occur during 4-hour “peak time events” which will be called by CL&P when demand for electricity reaches a critical level, and will occur no more than 10 days during the entire pilot. Typically this will occur between 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. EDT weekdays.
    • Customers will be charged their normal flat rate for all peak and off-peak time.
    • If customers use less electricity during peak time than their predetermined baseline, they will receive a rebate on their bill.
  • Time of Use (TOU)
    • Electricity used during peak time will cost more than the normal flat rate and electricity used off-peak will cost less.
    • Peak time will occur every non-holiday weekday, from 12 noon – 8 p.m. EDT.