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Automated Response Technology

Using smart technology for a more reliable grid

The Automated Response Technology program promotes a cleaner and more reliable grid for your community. It does so by leveraging smart technologies in your home, such as smart thermostats, electric vehicle chargers and more.
 

As a participant, you enable an authorized provider to optimize your energy use according to your rate and during times of very high grid demand, known as “events.” By coordinating that energy shift with thousands of others, we work together to balance energy use, enable clean energy sources and prevent power interruptions.

 

To enroll in the program, contact an Automated Response Technology program provider.

Program details

You've invested in smart technology in your home. Now it can work to help you and your community even more.

 

  • The Automated Response Technology program is available to residential customers with smart technologies
  • Events may take place at any time, but last no more than 6 hours in a single day
  • During events, the energy consumption controlled by a registered technology will decrease
  • Customers enroll via Automated Response Technology providers. Typically, these are the manufacturers of your smart technology or their program partners.
  • Automated Response Technology providers may provide incentives for customer participation, at their discretion

Providers and technologies

 

New providers can join at any time. We update this list when they do, so check back occasionally for additional providers and technologies.

Frequently asked questions

By participating in the Automated Response Technology program, you support grid reliability for your community. Your Automated Response Technology provider optimizes your enrolled smart technology according to your rate and during times of very high grid demand. For your rate, your smart technology will be aligned to minimize peak time energy charges. For times of very high grid demand, your technology will be scheduled during specific hours, known as “events,” to lower your energy use either the same day or a day ahead. Events may take place at any time year-round, but last no more than 6 hours in a single day.

Smart technologies that are good candidates for Automated Response Technology:

  • Can connect to the internet
  • Automatically respond during events

Examples include smart thermostats, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, heat pump water heaters and batteries.

Incentives are determined and paid by your Automated Response Technology provider, at their discretion. Contact your provider for specific information. 

Based on the smart technologies installed at your home, find a Automated Response Technology provider listed in the “Providers and technologies” section above. Contact that provider to enroll. If you don’t see your technology listed, check back occasionally because we will update the list as more providers and technologies join the program.

The Automated Response Technology provider you select will manage your participation in the program, including:

  • enrollment 
  • ongoing communications
  • daily optimization of your smart technology aligned with your rate and during events

When demand for electricity increases dramatically, it can put a strain on the state’s electric grid. When you shift or minimize energy use away from times of peak demand, you help prevent supply-and-demand issues that can lead to power interruptions. Lower demand also helps ensure that cleaner forms of energy are being supplied by minimizing the need for fossil fuel plants.

Check the list above for your provider’s contact information.

Email AutoResponseTech@pge.com to reach a PG&E representative.

You can only enroll with one Automated Response Technology provider at a time. However, you can participate with as many devices with your provider as they support. If you would like to participate with a different device and provider, you must first unenroll with your current provider.

Contact your Automated Response Technology provider for information on managing your participation in this program.

Information for Automated Response Technology providers

Interested smart-technology manufacturers and demand-response providers can apply to participate in the program. Providers will:

  • Enroll customers and manage customer relationships, including what incentives they will provide for participation.
  • Receive incentives from PG&E based on the amount of load their enrolled customers reduce during events within a calendar month. Each month will have at least one market, emergency or test event. More information can be found in the program tariff (PDF).  

Interested in being an Automated Response Technology provider? We’re eager to talk with you. Email AutoResponseTech@pge.com to express your interest. A program manager will respond within 48 hours.

Additional information

Questions?

For more information, contact your provider. If you are unsure who your provider is or have not yet enrolled, email us at AutoResponseTech@pge.com.