Electricity use in Manitoba is highest during the coldest winter days when thousands of homes and businesses need power at the same time. These moments are known as peak demand. Even though they only happen a few days a year, they can put strain on our electrical grid.  

That’s why we’re introducing Peak Partners — our first demand response pilot program delivered in collaboration with Manitoba Hydro. Homeowners who heat and cool their homes with electricity can earn incentives for helping reduce electricity demand during periods of high energy use.

Demand response is one of several tools being explored to help Manitoba meet its future electricity needs. Alongside energy efficiency, it gives customers a new way to get involved in reducing energy use during peak demand periods — and get rewarded for doing their part. This pilot will test how the program works in Manitoba to help shape similar programs in the future.

HOW PEAK PARTNERS WORKS

Peak Partners uses low-voltage smart thermostats, connected to the internet, to automatically ease demand on Manitoba’s electricity grid. An adjustment of a few degrees can make a meaningful difference during periods of high electricity demand.  

Peak Partners operates year-round in two seasons: winter (from October to April) and summer (from May to September). We’ll hold Peak Partner events throughout these seasons during periods of peak demand, when the electricity system is under the greatest strain. Events will also be called at other non-peak times to support the electricity system’s needs and evaluate how demand response can be used in Manitoba. 

We’ll remotely adjust your enroled smart thermostat by a couple degrees. You can opt out of an event at any time, and you’ll maintain full control of your enroled devices. However, if you opt out of most events in a season, you may not be eligible for the seasonal incentive.

Each event will last no more than four hours, and your device will return to normal operation after the event ends. We’ll generally pre-heat or pre-cool your home before the thermostat adjustment to ensure your home maintains a comfortable temperature during the event.