INVENSYS GOODWATTS FUNCTIONALITY IS RECOGNIZED BY CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN A RECENT RULING
03 April 2003 - Invensys plc

The NEM conference, where Invensys is presenting the Goodwatts system, focuses on the 'Energy Policy Act of 2003,' the latest advances in energy technologies, rebuilding confidence in U.S. energy markets and lowering consumer energy prices.

The GoodWatts system allows utilities to remotely control air conditioning systems and appliances over a secure network. The system works by shifting large household energy loads from peak to off-peak times of the day, when energy is usually less expensive for the utility to generate or purchase. By gathering data on the real-time energy requirements of specific loads in individual homes, the GoodWatts system can reduce utility system stresses during peak demand periods and give utilities the ability to control loads during such periods in an environmentally sensitive and cost effective way. The March 13th decision came about as a result of the California PUC's wish to formally evaluate a demand response system that would allow them to gather information about customers' preferences when faced with a varying price of energy. In June 2002, the PUC instituted (R.)02-06-001 to study methods to 'develop demand flexibility as a resource to enhance electric system reliability, reduce power purchase and individual consumer costs, and protect the environment.'

Following its analysis, the California PUC ordered California utilities to test systems that contained the features and benefits like those found in the GoodWatts system.

In its decision, the commission outlined the merits of the Invensys system and its features, noting its 'advanced, interactive technology, and dispatchable demand response offering,' and reporting that the system 'advances the range of technologies available to customers to enable demand response.' The commission concluded 'it is desirable to test these enhanced capabilities in a full-scale system as part of a subsequent stage of the State Pricing Pilot.'

Invensys has already begun a comprehensive testing of the GoodWatts approach with PECO Energy, an electric and natural gas utility serving southeastern Pennsylvania. In a February 4th PECO press release, Frank Jiruska, PECO vice president of customer & marketing services, was quoted, 'The GoodWatts system is setting a new standard in residential energy management. PECO has been impressed with the GoodWatts system's ability to provide verifiable energy consumption data and real time availability of synchronized capacity. This information is critical when trying to manage peak demand, but unfortunately has not been available to utilities with traditional Demand Side Management programs.'

'GoodWatts has tremendous potential to reduce energy consumption, help consumers take control of their energy usage, and allow utilities to operate more efficiently,' stated Jim Devlin, President, Invensys Home Control Systems. 'The initial testing in Pennsylvania and the California ruling have confirmed this potential, and we look forward to the opportunity to compete as a pioneer in this new and exciting market.'

In addition to the tools it offers utilities, the GoodWatts system also allows homeowners to manage monthly energy costs by viewing their electricity consumption over the Internet. The system can be installed in any home with access to a cable network, and includes advanced energy management devices including a new whole house electric meter, an advanced thermostat for heating and cooling equipment, and sub-meter controls for major electrical appliances such as water heaters and pool pumps. Using a cable network to ensure the integrity, security and privacy of the data, the GoodWatts system communicates with these various devices and allows the utility to measure the exact amount of energy consumed by each appliance.

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