Demand Response Program

Program Overview

In 2013, DCAS launched the City's Demand Response (DR) Program to provide city agencies with the ability to earn revenue by reducing their energy usage during periods of peak usage. As part of the energy industry’s increasing use of pricing incentives to add flexibility to energy delivery systems, the revenue from the DR Program is paid by utility companies and New York State’s grid manager. City agencies are able to use earned revenue for building improvements and energy efficiency upgrades.

Collectively, the City’s Demand Response Program helps:

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment
• Reduce energy costs by cutting demand charges and earning revenue during DR events
• Enhance grid reliability during periods of high electricity usage
• Help prevent blackouts and brownouts across the city
• Minimize reliance on inefficient and highly polluting backup power plants

Learn more about New York State's Demand Response programs

Learn more about Con Edison's Demand Response (smart usage rewards) programs

Outcomes

From 2013-2024, City agencies earned total program revenues of more than $153 million. In Summer 2025, 668 facilities across 36 agencies and organizations committed to reduce more than 122 MW of load during peak demand periods. That's the equivalent to removing almost 490 mid-size schools from the grid.

See the City of New York's Demand Response progress (pdf) (Summer 2014 - Summer 2024)

$153M+ total revenue

668 facilities participating*

122 MW up to seasonal peak load reduction*

* These numbers are as of Summer 2025

How to Participate

To participate in the Demand Response (DR) Program, you should contact the DCAS Division of Energy Management and (DEM) Demand Response team to request a facility assessment. DCAS will coordinate with NuEnergen, a third-party vendor, to conduct an audit and determine whether the site can temporarily reduce electric load during high-demand events.

Check Eligibility:

• Applies only to municipal utility accounts where the City of New York pays for the utility bills
• Facility must be able to curtail part of its electrical usage when requested (e.g., during peak demand events)

Contact us to check if your facility is suitable for Demand Response

Already enrolled?

Log in to the ENERTRAC web and mobile portal to track your agency's Demand Response participation and set customized user alerts.

Download the ENERTRAC User Guide (pdf)