• Emergency Response Service (ERS) is a Demand Response Program (DPR) offered by the state’s grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to help maintain the grid’s balance between electricity demand and supply. 

• DRP pays residents for being available to curtail their energy loads within 30 minutes when called upon by the grid operator. This temporarily switches the supply of your home’s energy to your generator instead of the grid in order to maintain the power grid’s health. This is done automatically so the homeowner does not have to do anything.

• By participating in ERCOT’s Emergency Response Service 30 Demand Response Program, you can get a reduced price on your Power Solutions Specialist generator, while also helping Texas with electric grid resiliency!

• Sometimes, the demand for energy outpaces the grid’s ability to supply it, causing a risk of brownouts or blackouts. Instead of producing more energy at an expense to consumers and the environment, the grid operator can offset the imbalance by reducing the amount of electricity being consumed when demand exceeds supply. That’s demand response, and participation can help keep the grid and electricity rates stable in Texas while lowering the total cost of ownership of your generator.

• When electric demand on the grid exceeds the grid’s ability to supply enough electricity or when electricity prices are high, the grid operator sends a signal instructing all demand response generators to come on-line to reduce the electric loads.

• Participation in the DRP program requires no action on your part. The load reduction will happen automatically. Your generator will instantly activate, replacing your home’s grid load with load supplied by your generator. That means you should not notice any change in comfort at your home because of your demand response participation.

• When electric demand on the grid exceeds the grid’s ability to supply enough electricity or when electricity prices are high, the grid operator sends a signal instructing all demand response generators to come on-line to reduce the electric loads. If the load is not reduced, there is a potential for brownouts or blackouts throughout the grid causing more serious issues for Texans.

Will I have to reset my clocks when my house is switched to my generator?

• No, when on DRP you never lose the connection to the utility feed. The transfer to generator is seamless, no loss of power to your home. However, during a system power outage- you will lose power for about 30 seconds. That’s when you must reset clocks

How much money do I get back from ERCOT?

• This all depends on how much power you are historically using. For instance, if you average 15kw of usage on a normal basis, ERCOT will credit you for that amount. ERCOT will use those usage numbers to calculate how much rebate you are due.

Can I participate in this program if I install the generator myself or have another company install my generator?

• No, Power Solutions Specialist is the only company in Texas that has the technology and reportability to participate in the demand response program. Manufactures can only make the equipment to satisfy the EPA regulation to run the generator during a demand response. Power Solutions Specialist can turn the generator on when ERCOT needs the power, record how much power each home uses, and restore power back to the grid when the power usage is reduced.

What is the difference between a standby generator and a demand response generator?

• A standby generator is a generator that can only be used in the event of a grid failure. A demand response generator can be used during a grid failure or when the grid is in danger of overloading.

What is my cost to participate versus just buying a standby generator?

• DRP is one monthly fee that covers everything you would need for this program plus it includes standby power. You will have NO other charges for maintenance, monitoring, warranty or repair*. Typically, when you purchase a standby generator, you pay the installed price upfront and pay annually for the maintenance, monitoring and incidentals as they come. This is the cost of ownership no one really thinks of at the time of purchase. The DRP is like buying a car and all you have to do is put gas in it. The dealership takes care of everything else for the life of the program.

*See manufacture warranty documents for exclusions.