Constellation has launched VirtuWatt Link, the first web service application to facilitate automated load response program participation. VirtuWatt Link allows a facility’s existing automation system to manage load curtailment automatically based upon energy market signals and pre-set scenarios -- without the installation of redundant or proprietary building controls hardware.
By reducing the upfront cost associated with load response automation, VirtuWatt Link enables a broader range of facility types and sizes to participate in a wider array of energy market programs. VirtuWatt Link is an extension of Constellation’s VirtuWatt energy management platform, which allows commercial and industrial customers to easily monitor energy usage in real time and schedule load curtailments for load response programs.
Companies that offer a wide variety of energy management and automation solutions, from customer-specific to broad-in-scope, are teaming with Constellation to implement VirtuWatt Link as a pre-integrated, value-add option.
During the beta release of the solution, Trane, a leading provider of energy efficiency HVAC systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced control, created a VirtuWatt Link adapter for its Tracer and TIS platforms, which is now live and supporting load response programs at Trane’s Texas facilities.
Vedero Software, a software provider of automated demand response services for office complexes, schools, hospitals and datacenters, has integrated the VirtuWatt Link product with its cloud-based energy and load management platform.
VirtuWatt Link provides comprehensive load response and security services, including: authentication access control, ISO event dispatch notification and acknowledgement and utility meter usage data. VirtuWatt Link can be integrated to any energy management or controls system that uses web services. Its architecture is designed to seamlessly handle demand response market signals and energy data from utilities and independent system operators (ISOs), and is built to accommodate developing demand response protocol standards, such as OpenADR 2.0.
