Demand Response – Commitment Option

A peak demand event is a period indicated by Hydro‑Québec in a notification sent to the customer's designated contacts during which the customer must reduce their power demand.

Peak demand events can take place:

• From December 1 to March 31 inclusive, excluding December 24, 25, 26 and 31, January 1 and 2, as well as Good Friday and Easter Monday when they fall within the winter period.

No, your devices do not need to be automated for you to participate in peak demand events. However, should you wish to do so, you could receive financial assistance if you submit a project.

Some key measures to consider

For production processes (mainly for industrial customers)

• Shifting production to outside peak demand events or modifying work schedules
• Partial shutdown of production during peak demand events
• Pausing the most energy-intensive or non-essential processes
• Pausing production and maintenance activities during peak demand events
• Using control systems to activate power demand reduction measures and the gradual return to normal following a peak demand event

Measures targeting buildings (institutional, commercial and industrial)

• Using an alternative energy source
• Energy storage
• Adjusting the HVAC equipment settings

There are several terms and conditions associated with the DR Commitment Option. Depending on the sub-option chosen, your organization may not be affected by the peak demand event in question.

Financial assistance to automate your building's demand response management

Installing a building automation system is a great way to maximize your benefits and simplify the application of DR management measures. The financial assistance covers three measures:

1. Programming DR management controls in the existing building automation system (BAS);
2. Adding control points and programming controls in the existing BAS;
3. Installing a BAS with control points and DR management programming controls.

Financial support for an energy analysis

Bonus financing is available for analyses that combine energy efficiency and demand response management measures.

The fixed credit is the product of the power demand that you committed to curtail and the amount of the credit per kilowatt, based on the sub-option you selected. It is applied if the reduction goal is reached.

The variable credit is the incentive offered in exchange for the energy curtailed during peak demand events. It is added to the fixed credit and is calculated for each billing period. This credit varies based on the maximum number of peak demand events included in the sub-option selected.

The maximum power demand threshold varies from month to month and represents the total power demand typically used by your company for the same period, less 95% of the reduction goal.

It is calculated as follows:

• Increased credits
• Efficiency gain for automating your operations
• Contribution to the collective effort behind Québec's energy transition

If that happens, an overrun charge (penalty) is deducted from the fixed credit, in keeping with the applicable terms and conditions.

Overrun deduction

This charge applies if you exceed your maximum power demand threshold during a peak demand event.

According to the applicable terms and conditions, the amount deducted cannot exceed the maximum deduction set for a peak demand event, and the sum of overrun deductions for a given winter period cannot exceed 150% of the amount that would have been paid as a fixed credit.

Early termination deduction

This charge applies if your company decides to terminate a multi-year commitment before it expires.

If this occurs, Hydro-Québec deducts an amount equal to 50% of the credits calculated for the year of termination, multiplied by the number of years remaining in the commitment.

Yes, you'll receive the fixed credit.

For the moment, you'll find this information on your bill.