Honeywell And KCP&L Build On Success Of Energy Optimizer Program
Contract Extension to Install 13,000 More Thermostats, Program Goals Surpassed in First Two Years
Kansas City, MO – Honeywell and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy, recently announced a contract extension to the utility's Energy Optimizer program. Managed by Honeywell, Energy Optimizer is designed to reduce peak energy consumption from June to September, when air-conditioning use reaches its highest levels of the year.
The demand-response program, which was launched in 2005, features the installation of programmable thermostats in residential homes and small businesses. The thermostats include a paging system that allows KCP&L to communicate with the thermostats and cycle air conditioners off and on for brief intervals. This only happens on the hottest days of the year, when energy consumption peaks.
Energy Optimizer is part of KCP&L's strategy for meeting Kansas City's future energy needs. To date, 18,000 thermostats have been installed, exceeding the three-year program goal in less than two years. By extending the program, the utility plans to install an additional 13,000 thermostats.
"We are very pleased with the success of this program," said Kevin Bryant, vice president of Energy Solutions for Kansas City Power & Light. "The Energy Optimizer program helps us defer the need to build additional peaking-power plants while helping customers save on heating and cooling costs year-round."
KCP&L customers who enroll in the program receive a free, professionally installed programmable thermostat, which can reduce the home heating and cooling costs by as much as 20 percent. The thermostat also includes online programming capabilities, allowing users to easily adjust their settings from work or other remote locations.
Honeywell provides all program management, marketing, installation and customer service functions for Energy Optimizer.
"Almost every house has an air conditioner, and a variety of appliances and electronics, and the burden on the electrical grid continues to grow as a result," said Kent Anson, vice president of Global Energy for Honeywell Building Solutions. "Programs like Energy Optimizer are essential to help utilities keep electricity affordable and protect the environment for future generations."
Honeywell Utility Solutions, a division of Honeywell Building Solutions, has 30 years experience designing, implementing and managing demand response programs for utilities. Honeywell has installed more than 860,000 thermostats and other load control devices to date. It also specializes in meter services, energy management and water solutions.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCP&L is a leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest. KCP&L is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated, the holding company for KCP&L and Strategic Energy LLC, a competitive electricity supplier.
SOURCE: Honeywell International