OTTAWA, May 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energate, Inc., the leading provider of consumer demand response and home energy management solutions, today announced that Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution, will deploy the Energate Foundation™ Smart Thermostat and Home Energy Gateway in homes operating over the Sensus open standards-based FlexNet™ utility communication network with ZigBee-enabled meters. Ontario has deployed over five million smart meters alongside its province-wide time-of-use pricing program. In addition, a province-wide direct load control program, peaksaver PLUS, provides an opt-in program via most of the provinces local distribution companies (LDC).
Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution is the first LDC in Ontario to deploy demand response technology that communicates over the smart meter AMI network utilizing Energate's Consumer-Connected Demand Response (CCDR) solution platform. The utility will benefit from a consumer-engaging 2-way verifiable load control program that leverages its AMI network and is funded under the province's peaksaver PLUS program.
Newmarket consumers will benefit by receiving a smart communicating Energate thermostat that allows them to proactively manage their energy usage in relation to time-of-use (TOU) rates. Customers will also get access to an enhanced Consumer Portal and mobile apps that allow them to remotely monitor real time energy consumption and control loads in their homes empowering them to improve energy efficiency and shift usage to non-peak times.
Following the initial deployment, Energate anticipates the program to expand to additional homes over the next two years. Energate's CCDR Demand Response software platform has been integrated with the Sensus FlexNet software, tested and qualified by Sensus and approved by the Ontario Power Authority for use for Ontario DR programs.
"Led by Newmarket, we are pleased to announce that Smart meter-compatible Foundations are now being installed in Ontario homes," said Niraj Bhargava, CEO of Energate. "This deployment is part of a trend where utilities can now build real consumer value on top of a utility demand response program."
"Newmarket is delighted to be offering its consumers value-add benefits of the smart grid," adds Newmarket CEO, Paul Ferguson. "Our partnership with Energate allows us to deliver the leading edge features that provides value to us as the LDC and also the homeowner."
Energate's CCDR enables an open dialogue between consumers and utilities, through connected in-home devices, the web, and the utility back office. CCDR helps consumers make informed energy consumption choices and utilities can deploy smart programs designed to meet the needs of their customers.
About Energate
Energate (www.energateinc.com) is a leading provider of demand response and home energy management solutions including software, wireless communications, gateways, smart thermostats, switches and consumer energy displays. The Consumer Connected Demand Response (CCDR™) solution allows utilities to immediately address residential energy demand and empowers consumers to more effectively manage their energy use. Energate products seamlessly connect to the Smart Grid to deal with supply and demand challenges, the increased use of renewables and dynamic rate structures. Founded in 2004, Energate is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario with offices in California, Illinois, Texas and Toronto.