Demand Response

Norfolk State University’s Energy & Sustainability Program - Facilities Management has made its 1st important step closer to coalescing, implementing, and measuring cross-cutting energy and sustainability initiatives within the university by participating in Virginia Energy and Voltus Inc. Demand Response program. This program was designed to help ensure grid stability, and positions Norfolk State University as an energy & sustainable member of the community.

By participating in demand response, NSU will help to support grid reliability and reduce strain on the energy system, while advancing the institution’s sustainability goals and lowering energy costs across its campus. Seldom does the demand for energy outpace the grid's ability to supply it, causing brownouts or blackouts. Instead of producing more energy at great expense to consumers and the environment, the grid operator can offset the imbalance by reducing the amount of electricity being consumed when demand exceeds supply. This is technically referred to as “Demand Response”.

Department of Energy & Sustainability started with 8 buildings that were programmed to meet the PJM Demand Response requirements. Norfolk State University’s Energy & Sustainability Program - Facilities Management completed its 1st PJM Demand Response Event, not only reducing NSU's utility costs, but exemplifies for stakeholders the benefits of demand response, sustainable practices, and the role of HBCUs in driving energy innovation while making history for NSU.

Press

Norfolk State University Selects Voltus To Advance Campus Sustainability, Support Grid Reliability in Virginia

Norfolk, Va., Jan. 15, 2025 (Globe Newswire) -- Norfolk State University (NSU) has tapped leading distributed energy resource (DER) software platform and virtual power plant (VPP) operator, Voltus, Inc. (Voltus), to implement its new energy efficiency program, demand response (DR). The ambitious program will improve campus sustainability and generate millions in new revenue for the university, which aims to reduce energy use by 27% by 2030 and further by 2045. Revenue generated will help fund other efforts within NSU’s energy and sustainability commitment, including smart technology, building automation, and high-efficiency equipment. - Read the article