Memorial Hospital recently enrolled in Demand Response, a voluntary program in which customers agree to reduce electricity usage at times of peak demand on the electrical system in the region. During a test of Memorial's system last summer, the hospital significantly reduced its usage off the grid - enough to power over 360 homes. As an added benefit, by reducing its electric usage, Memorial stands to receive a reimbursement from the program.
"Participating in Demand Response results in a win-win situation for both our community and Memorial Hospital," explains Corry Mason, Director of Facility Services at Memorial Hospital. "Our team is committed to finding efficiencies and developing ways that we can be a socially responsible organization. This opportunity allows us take resources already on-hand and use them to benefit the individuals and families we serve."
Memorial Hospital's program is administered by KOREnergy, an Ohio-based company which serves as a curtailment service provider for PJM. PJM is a federally regulated non-profit organization that manages the electric transmission grid in a 13 state territory, including 51 million people and 20 percent of the U.S. economy. In the event of record-high temperatures, mechanical failures at power plants or the transmission grid in our region, Memorial Hospital of Union County has committed to "disconnect" from the grid and run non-critical care areas of its facility entirely on the power from its backup generators.
Memorial Hospital's involvement in the program helps the environment and helps reduce the rates utility customers in the area pay during warm summer months. By recruiting eligible customers to voluntarily reduce usage, PJM is able to delay or defer the construction of new power plants. The program also lets PJM avoid purchasing more expensive power from other regions of the country.
