Direct Energy Business Unveils Customer Alert Service for Peak Demand Probability in PJM Region

Pittsburgh, PA (June 5, 2013) – Direct Energy Business now offers an email alert service in the PJM region as part of a new pilot program for 2013. This free service includes email notifications throughout the summer months that will alert customers if a particular day shows medium or high probability of being one of PJM's coincidental peak days. Additionally, customers will have access to additional data that provides the details behind why the probability is medium or high.

Peak load does matter. In the PJM region, data from the five coincidental peak days, as selected by the Independent System Operator (ISO), determines a business' peak load contribution (PLC), also known as a capacity tag for invoicing purposes. If customers can be forewarned of when these five days might occur, they have the opportunity, if they choose, to attempt to curtail or otherwise lower their demand during on-peak hours. Peak demand is measured based on the five peak demand days. Factors such as weather, and monitoring PJM's grid demand reports and forecasts, allow Direct Energy Business to provide customers with an estimate of how likely it may be for PJM to call a coincidental peak day on a particular day in the summer.

"Last year, our portfolio strategy team provided a similar alert system to PowerPortfolio customers in PJM as part of our consultative services, which received positive feedback. This sparked the creation of the peak demand probability alert service," said Mike Senff, vice president of sales and marketing of Direct Energy Business.

Meanwhile, PJM west capacity rates are increasing significantly on June 1, 2014. This means that the only way for businesses located in the PJM region to lower overall capacity costs next year would be to lower their PLC but curtailing during coincidental peak days this summer.

Direct Energy Business customers/prospects always have the opportunity to work with their assigned portfolio strategist or to engage the company's 360Direct team if they need more specific guidance and consultation on how to reduce their peak load, or how and when to curtail during high-probability peak demand days.

Senff is available for interviews.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

Andrea Romo
Direct Energy
412.334.9510
Andrea.Romo@directenergy.com