Demand Response

With demand response, Ontarians reduce (or eliminate) their energy use during periods of high electricity demand to help enhance grid reliability.

The IESO leverages several types of demand response (DR) to help ensure grid reliability. Market participants can take part in the annual Capacity Auction, a competitive procurement mechanism within the IESO’s Resource Adequacy Framework that secures short‑term capacity to meet Ontario’s resource adequacy needs. Large and medium‑sized Class A industrial loads can also participate through the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI).

Businesses and institutions can participate through the Save on Energy Peak Performance HVAC program. Residential electricity customers and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees with a smart thermostat can contribute through the Save on Energy Peak Perks program.

Save on Energy DR Activations

Date Activation Window (EST) MWs Scheduled
N/A N/A N/A

Enhanced Visibility of Save on Energy Demand Response

Visual enhancements have been added to all Ontario Demand graphs to improve transparency and provide advance notice of scheduled Save on Energy demand response (DR) activations for the Peak Perks and Peak Performance programs. These enhancements align with existing Day 1–34 and Day 0 RSS alerts issued by IESO Control Room Operators. When Save on Energy DR is not required, no visual enhancements are displayed.

Ontario Demand Graph Enhancements

A Save on Energy overlay will appear on Ontario Demand graphs to indicate program status:

Scheduled — Message displayed from midnight until the hour of activation
Scheduled

Activated — Message shown during the activation window (up to three hours)
Activated

Not Required — Message shown when demand response is no longer required
Not Required

Additional Save on Energy DR Activation Details

The Power Data webpage includes an expanded message box below the Ontario Demand graph that displays:

  • The planned activation window (up to three hours)
  • The total megawatts of Save on Energy demand response scheduled day‑ahead and reflected in the Ontario Demand forecast. If scheduled in real-time, the forecast is not adjusted.

The Peak Tracker and Market Data webpages apply the same overlay treatment when Save on Energy DR is scheduled or activated.

The 24‑hour rolling demand curve on the Peak Tracker page visually highlights the activation window by distinctly colouring the forecast demand line green during the activation period.