Utilities and technology providers are rethinking demand response as electrification, extreme weather, and growing residential energy use place new demands on the electric grid. During the June 30 webinar, “Demand Response for All: Bridging the Participation Gap with
HVAC,” experts from Carrier, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and Parks Associates discussed how the industry is evolving beyond traditional peak-demand programs toward more intelligent, customer-centric energy management. Panelists agreed that future programs must deliver measurable value to both utilities and homeowners by minimizing disruption, simplifying participation, and making energy management virtually invisible to consumers.
A key theme throughout the discussion was the growing role of connected HVAC systems as flexible grid assets. With residential heating and cooling accounting for a significant share of peak electricity demand, panelists explored how battery-integrated HVAC systems, intelligent load orchestration, and improved visibility into distributed energy resources can help utilities better manage local grid constraints while preserving homeowner comfort. Speakers also emphasized that partnerships among utilities, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers will be essential to scaling these solutions, creating demand response programs that are easier to deploy, more predictable to operate, and increasingly valuable as distributed energy resources become more common.
Thank you to Carrier for sponsoring this webinar.
Download the full replay: Demand Response for All: Bridging the Participation Gap with HVAC
