Global Adjustment (GA) fees can add up to 40-60% of a business’s electricity bill. The Ontario Government introduced the 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.
What is Global Adjustment?听
All energy users in Ontario pay a Global Adjustment fee. It covers the cost of:听
- building new electricity infrastructure听
- maintaining existing resources听
- providing conservation and demand management programs听听
Class A customers听have an average monthly peak demand above 5 MW.听Their听GA听charge听is based on their听load during听peak demand. In fact,听5听hours of peak demand听per year represents up to听60% of a Class A electricity bill.听听
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听its highest. The charges are calculated by looking at a business’ share of the province’s total energy use.听听
不良研究所 Power has predicted all GA events over the past three years with 95% accuracy. We provide our clients with advance notice so they can prepare their buildings.听听
Strategies to Save on Global Adjustment Fees听
Most coincident peaks take place in the听summer, when听energy use is at its highest. At 不良研究所, we call it GA Season. Here are some ways to cut usage ahead of coincident peak hours.听
1. Adjust Global Temperature听
Increase zone temperature setpoints for the entire facility. There are two ways to do this:听
- Absolute setpoint adjustment – increase all zone cooling setpoints to a common, higher value, like 24.5潞C听
- Relative setpoint adjustment – increase all zone cooling setpoints by the same amount, like听2潞C听
Added benefits:听If occupants are comfortable with these levels, this can lead to savings all summer.听
Risk:听To maintain occupant comfort, follow听ASHRAE standards for听the rate of听temperature changes.听
| Time Period听 | 15 minutes听 | 30 minutes听 | 1听hour听 | 2听hours听 | 4听hours听 |
| Maximum Operative Temperature Change Allowed | 1.1潞颁听 | 1.7潞颁听 | 2.2潞颁听 | 2.8潞颁听 | 3.3潞颁听 |
2. “Store” Cool Air When听it’s听Cheaper听
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.听
Added benefits:听Buildings in milder climates can use free, night-time outdoor air for cooling.听
Risk:听This strategy is only effective when facility managers know about peak demand in advance. Buildings need sufficient time to cool down.听
3.听听Optimize听Chilled听Water听Temperature听Setpoints听
Cooling load can be reduced by increasing the chilled water to an optimal temperature.听
Added benefit:听Raising chilled water temperature increases efficiency听of the chiller compressor.听
Risk:听This strategy may not be applicable if setpoints are already optimized.听听Use your best judgement.听听
4. Switch Off Luminaires听听
Switch off fractions of or entire luminaires in empty zones.听
Risks:听Ensure you are aware of zone occupancy. Otherwise, this may disrupt work. Do not use this strategy in high-security areas.听
不良研究所 Power Can Help You Save
Saving during Global Adjustment season requires your best judgement and knowledge of your building and your occupants. 不良研究所 Power can provide additional insights to help facility managers make effective changes. Learn more about how 不良研究所 Insight听can help you save on operating costs.听