Demand Response Providers (DRPs)/Aggregators

A DRP/aggregator is a commercial entity that provides demand response programs and services such as assisting retail customers participate in the wholesale energy market (operated by California Independent System Operator, aka CAISO) and with strategies or technology to reduce their electric consumption during times of grid needs in exchange for compensation.

Some entities focus entirely on working with customers to reduce their electric consumption and paying incentives for their reductions. Such entities are often referred to as “aggregators” and will have commercial arrangements with other entities that specialize in interfacing with the wholesale market.

The wholesale-facing entities are called Demand Response Providers (DRPs). The investor-owned utilities (IOUs) also act as DRPs for their own DR programs, in competition with programs offered by independent, third-party DRPs.

CPUC Registered Non-Utility DR Providers

Please send your updated contact information to CPUC's Energy Division by filling out the Regulatory Contact Info Update Request Form or at drp_registration@cpuc.ca.gov.

DRP Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a difference between participating in an independent, third-party DRP/aggregator program and participating in the utilities’ DR programs?

A: The general concept in either scenario is basically the same: electric retail customers will be called upon by the utility, acting as the DRP, or the independent, third-party DRP to reduce their electric demand on certain days within certain hour(s), and in exchange for that reduction, the customer can receive a financial incentive. The terms and conditions for participation and incentives will vary, and electric retail customers should fully inform themselves of those details before they enroll in any market-integrated, supply-side DR program.

Q: Can a customer enroll with a third-party DRP/aggregator and a utility DR program?

A: Generally, no. A customer typically may not enroll with a DRP/aggregator while also enrolling in a utility DR program. There are some exceptions. The DRP/aggregator or utility would inform the customer if it cannot proceed with a dual enrollment.

Q: What are the rules to allow third-party DRP/aggregator access to the customer's smart meter usage data?

A: Accessing a customer’s smart meter usage data is a critical requirement for direct participation in any DR program. Third-party DRPs/aggregators must obtain customer authorization in order to access the customer’s electric usage data collected and stored by the utility and other personal information related to the customer’s service account maintained by the utility. The utility does not need specific consent from the customer to access the customer's data.

The customer can authorize a third-party DRP/aggregator to obtain the necessary data from the utility through the utility’s Customer Information Service Request-Demand Response Provider form (aka CISR-DRP form). The form can be accessed at the following links:

• PG&E
• SCE
• SDG&E

The customer may obtain the CISR-DRP form from its utility or third-party DRP/aggregator. The CISR-DRP form also allows the customer to revoke, at any time, any previously granted authorization, subject to any early termination provisions specified in the contract between the DRP/aggregator and customer.

The CISR-DRP form provides the customer with options to authorize its DRP/aggregator to access to meter data, including for a specified period of time or indefinitely, until revoked by the customer. If the customer makes no election, its utility will assume that the customer authorization is for an indefinite period of time. With customer permission, its DRP/aggregator may also act as its agent to automatically revoke data transmittal on the customer’s behalf upon disenrollment from DR Service.

It is important to know that when discontinuing DR Service with a DRP/aggregator, it will be the customer’s responsibility to REVOKE authorization to STOP the transmittal of its energy usage data and other previously authorized personal information from its utility to the DRP/aggregator.

Q: What are CPUC policies on customer privacy?

A: Once a customer authorizes disclosure of its electricity usage data and other personal information to a DRP/aggregator, the DRP/aggregator is required to maintain the privacy and security of that data, subject to the Commission’s privacy policies. The CPUC’s privacy policies can be found in Decisions (D.) 11-07-056. The utility tariffs based on this decision can be found here:

• PG&E Rule 25
• SCE Rule 25
• SDG&E Rule 25

Q: What if I have a complaint against a third-party DRP/aggregator or my utility? What can I do?

A: Customers have the option to file a complaint or action at the appropriate civil court or agency. They may also file a formal complaint, informal complaint, or seek an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) at the CPUC regarding the DR Services.

For up-to-date information on filing an informal complaint, please visit the Consumer Affairs Branch.