EnerNOC enters energy contract with Rhode Island

EnerNOC Inc., a Boston company in the energy-management business, said today that it has entered into a five-year contract with the state of Rhode Island.

The contract will let EnerNOC enable and manage energy demand response capacity from Rhode Island city, town, and government-related buildings, the company said.

The contract has the potential to create a revenue stream for the state, EnerNOC added.

Describing some of the details of the contract, EnerNOC said: "Individual government buildings can enroll in EnerNOC’s technology-enabled demand response network. Each site will be paid for agreeing to reduce nonessential electricity consumption during periods of peak demand. In addition, each participating site will gain basic access to EnerNOC’s PowerTrak energy management platform, which enables users to view and analyze their energy consumption data in near real time and measure efficiency gains."

EnerNOC uses technology to automate the so-called demand response process for electricity utilities by signing up customers such as commercial and industrial companies to conservation programs; during peak demand periods, such as hot summer days, EnerNOC uses its technology to remotely curtail the electricity consumption of entities that have signed onto the program as a way to lower the likelihood of brownouts and outages.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)