Demand Response
Programs for Business
Generate Cost Savings and Power Your Sustainability Goals
DTE's Demand Response programs can leverage the unique electricity needs of your business to help you save on energy costs. Our solutions shift energy usage during periods of high demand, helping you manage the cost of generating electricity and limit environmental impact. Learn more about the benefits of enrolling in a Demand Response program, how it works and what your options are.
Optimize Your Energy Use with Demand Response
Businesses enrolled in Demand Response programs can lower electricity costs and contribute to overall annual energy savings. As your energy partner, DTE rewards you for managing energy usage during periods of high demand. Learn more about how participating in a commercial Demand Response program can benefit your business.
What Is a Demand Response Event?
A Demand Response Event is a period of high energy demand when we activate programs to manage electric usage. DTE will notify you in advance of a Demand Response Event. From there, you implement your customized energy reduction procedure. We will notify you once the event ends.
What Happens During a Demand Response Event?
Choosing a Demand Response Business Program
Demand Response programs for commercial enterprises are designed to reduce demand during periods of high energy usage to manage power generation costs and minimize environmental impact. You are offered reduced electric rates or bill credits as a thank you for participating in a program.
You can choose the right Demand Response program for your business, based on your electric needs and other eligibility requirements. Before enrolling, you'll need to assess your energy usage and create a plan for reducing electric load during Demand Response Events.
Managing Your Participation in Demand Response
Energy demand management is essential to running an energy-efficient operation. When you enroll in a DTE Demand Response program, you're in control of creating a plan for shifting electricity. Some ways to effectively manage your company's Demand Response participation include:
Conduct an energy audit.
See how much energy you use and find areas where you can improve efficiency by identifying your largest energy users, from HVAC systems to manufacturing equipment.
Establish minimum electricity needs.
Analyze your energy bills and other available data to determine the minimum electricity you need for your most critical operations. From there, you can create a plan for shifting energy during an event that keeps your business running smoothly.
Find opportunities to automate.
Explore ways to use technology like smart meters and sensors to enhance energy efficiency year-round and streamline your response when a Demand Response Event occurs.
Pinpoint energy reduction strategies.
Decide how you will shift energy during a Demand Response Event. Some common strategies include adjusting HVAC, turning off nonessential lighting, shutting down equipment not in use and moving operations to different hours.
To get started with Demand Response, contact us today.
We'll work with you to help you choose a program that best fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When electricity usage is at its highest, it costs more to generate enough energy to meet demand. When we can reduce spikes in demand, electricity generation becomes more affordable and environmentally friendly for everyone.
Your business will benefit from a reduced electric rate or bill incentive, depending on the program that best suits your needs.
During an event, your business will be asked to follow your energy reduction plan to decrease your electric usage, helping to ease demand for everyone while saving you money. You can decide the best ways to reduce your usage without negatively impacting your operations or your customers.
When energy demands begin to spike — often during periods of extreme heat or cold — DTE calls on Demand Response customers to reduce their electric usage.
How much you save annually depends on your electricity usage and how much you agree to shift during Demand Response Events. For example, a small business on the D3 rate will receive a discount on their electric rate, which can result in thousands of dollars in savings per year.
Demand Response
Programs for Business
Put Demand Response to Work for Your Business
Enrolling in a DTE Demand Response program can help your business manage energy costs and save. Whether you're a small manufacturer, healthcare facility or retail operation, there's a flexible option designed to match your needs.
Interruptible service rates and riders deliver savings for agreeing to temporarily reduce electricity use during high-demand periods. Explore eligibility requirements, suitable business types and available resources to find the best fit for your operations.
Enroll in Demand Response
Complete this form to enroll in a Demand Response program with DTE. We can assess your needs and help you choose the right program for your business's energy strategy.
Interruptible General Service Rate
When you agree to shift electricity usage during Demand Response Events, your business can cut monthly energy costs, free up budget for other priorities and demonstrate community leadership in energy efficiency — all while keeping operations running smoothly.
Eligibility: The D3.3 Interruptible Rate is a discounted D3 rate for businesses that have low to moderate energy use and can temporarily shift some of their electricity usage when requested.
Suitable for: Municipalities, small- to medium-sized office buildings, small- to medium-sized manufacturers, restaurants, healthcare facilities and religious institutions.
Interruptible Supply Rate
Your organization can strengthen budget flexibility and showcase operational resilience by shedding just 50 kWh at a single location during Demand Response Events — without compromising service to your community, customers or employees.
Eligibility: The D8 Interruptible Supply Rate is a discounted D11 or D6.2 rate for businesses that are able to voluntarily shift their contracted interruptible load upon request.
Suitable for: Municipalities, small- to large-sized office buildings and office parks, small- to large-sized manufacturers, healthcare facilities, large retail, religious and educational institutions.
Alternative Electric Metal Rider
Facilities that rely on electricity to power furnaces can lower operating expenses and optimize sustainability goals when they agree to temporarily reduce their usage — without disrupting output.
Eligibility: Rider 1.1 for Metal Melting is a discounted rate for customers on D3, D4, D8 or D11 that use electric furnaces for metal melting, reducing metallic ores or holding operations and agree to reduce their load during Demand Response Events. Furnaces need to be on a separate interruptible meter.
Suitable for: Casting, molding and forging operations.
Electric Process Heat Rider
Manufacturers that use electric process heaters can cut operational costs and reach sustainability targets by agreeing to separately meter their equipment and shift their electric load when notified by DTE.
Eligibility: Rider 1.2 Electric Process Heat is an electric rate discount available to D3, D4, D8 and D11 customers that use electric heat in their manufacturing process or use electricity as part of an anodizing, plating or coating process. Customers need to be able to fully reduce load when notified.
Suitable for: Casting, molding and forging operations, small- to medium-sized manufacturers and plating and coating companies.
Interruptible Supply Rider
Big manufacturers can cut their power bills when they dial back energy use for short periods — turning flexibility on the factory floor into real savings.
Eligibility: Rider 10 Interruptible Supply is for Primary Supply Rate (D11 and D6.2) customers that are willing to reduce between 50,000 kWh and 400,000 kWh in a single location during Demand Response Events.
Suitable for: Large manufacturers.
Capacity Release Rider
Your operation can earn a bill credit for every kilowatt you enroll by agreeing to reduce a portion of your electricity use during Demand Response Events.
Eligibility: Rider 12 Capacity Release is for customers that can interrupt electric loads of at least 100 kWh at a single location.
Suitable for: Small- to large-sized office buildings and office parks, large retailers, gas stations and convenience stores.
Additional Resources
Explore more DTE programs that can help you optimize energy use and manage energy costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
We continuously monitor the probability of interruption. You can check the interruption probability page at any time to see the chances of an event occurring. MISO also provides a current snapshot of the electric grid.
The right program for your business depends on your overall energy usage. We can help match you with the best rate for your operations. We can also help you evaluate your energy usage and maximize savings over the long term.
Please fill out this form. One of our program specialists will contact you to discuss your options and help you enroll in the right Demand Response program for your business.
Most Demand Response programs require a one-year contract. Once enrolled, you can work with your DTE program specialist to assess and anticipate future electric usage needs.
How you reduce your electrical usage is up to you. You'll receive advance notice of an event, and you choose how to reduce load in ways that won't impact critical operations.
If you're unable to comply with the timing and load reduction requirements, you may be subject to a non-interruption penalty.
Connect with a DTE Demand Response Program Specialist
Contact Us
For more information, please call us toll free, (833) 627-2300 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
For questions specific to DTE Smart Charge, please email us at smartcharge@dteenergy.com.