Global Adjustment (GA) fees can add up to 40-60% of a business’ electricity bill. The Ontario Government introduced the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) to encourage large electricity users to shift their consumption. By consuming power during off-peak hours, businesses can reduce a large part of their energy bill. Here are some ways to save on Global Adjustment fees.
All energy users in Ontario pay a Global Adjustment fee. It covers the cost of:
Class A customers have an average monthly peak demand above 5 MW. Their GA charge is based on their load during peak demand. In fact, 5 hours of peak demand per year represents up to 60% of a Class A electricity bill.
Under the ICI program, GA charges are measured by energy use during coincident peaks. Coincident peaks are the 5 hours of the year when the demand for electricity in Ontario is at its highest. The charges are calculated by looking at a business’ share of the province’s total energy use.
Most coincident peaks take place in the summer, when energy use is at its highest. At Peak, we call it GA Season. Here are some ways to cut usage ahead of coincident peak hours.
Increase zone temperature setpoints for the entire facility. There are two ways to do this:
Added benefits: If occupants are comfortable with these levels, this can lead to savings all summer.
Risk: To maintain occupant comfort, follow ASHRAE standards for the rate of temperature changes.
| Time Period | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour | 2 hours | 4 hours |
| Maximum Operative Temperature Change Allowed | 1.1ºC | 1.7ºC | 2.2ºC | 2.8ºC | 3.3ºC |
Decrease temperature setpoints during off-peak hours to cool the building when costs are lower. When the curtailment window hits, increase temperature setpoints to prevent cooling operations from running.
Added benefits: Buildings in milder climates can use free, night-time outdoor air for cooling.
Risk: This strategy is only effective when facility managers know about peak demand in advance. Buildings need sufficient time to cool down.
Cooling load can be reduced by increasing the chilled water to an optimal temperature.
Added benefit: Raising chilled water temperature increases efficiency of the chiller compressor.
Risk: This strategy may not be applicable if setpoints are already optimized. Use your best judgement.
Switch off fractions of or entire luminaires in empty zones.
Risks: Ensure you are aware of zone occupancy. Otherwise, this may disrupt work. Do not use this strategy in high-security areas.
Saving during Global Adjustment season requires your best judgement and knowledge of your building and your occupants. Peak Power can provide additional insights to help facility managers make effective changes. Learn more about how Peak Insight can help you save on operating costs.
