Glossary

BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®: Consists of a variety of initiatives, services and incentives offered by BGE designed to help you conserve energy, save money and protect the environment.
Learn more about BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): AMI refers to systems that measure, collect and analyze energy usage, from devices such as electricity meters or gas meters using current technology, through various communication media on request or on a pre-defined schedule. This infrastructure includes hardware, software, communications, customer associated systems and Meter Data Management (MDM) software.

Compressor: The Compressor is the part of an air conditioning system that pumps the refrigerant that transfers the heat and humidity from inside your home to the outside. Another part is the fan or air handler, it circulates the conditioned air throughout your home.

Cycling: Cycling refers to the amount of time each hour that your air conditioning (A/C) compressor is switched off and on during a PeakRewards℠ event. For example:

If your Compressor normally runs for 40 minutes (two 20-minute periods) each hour and you sign up for 50% Cycling, your Compressor would only run for 20 minutes (two 10-minute periods) during each hour of the event.
If your Compressor normally runs for 40 minutes (two 20-minute periods) each hour and you sign up for 75% Cycling, your Compressor would only run for 10 minutes (two 5-minute periods) during each hour of the event.
If your Compressor normally runs for 40 minutes (two 20-minute periods) each hour and you sign up for 100% Cycling, your Compressor would not run at all during the event.

Cycling Events: There are two types of events where Cycling can occur:

Emergency Event - During an Emergency Event, regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing regional supply, BGE is required to activate our PeakRewards℠ switches and thermostats in order to avoid disruption of service to large portions of the distribution system. You will be cycled at your selected program level.

Non-emergency Event - BGE may activate PeakRewards℠, when regional demand is not very close to surpassing regional supply, but the wholesale price of electricity is very high. Activating PeakRewards℠ during Non-emergency Events puts downward pressure on energy prices. You will be cycled at 50% during Non-emergency Events.

Cycling Events typically occur on weekdays during the summer between the hours of 1:00p - 7:00p. Cycling events typically do not occur on weekends or holidays.

Cycling Levels: Refers to the PeakRewards℠ program participation level you select during enrollment to fit your lifestyle and comfort level. You can change your Cycling Level at a later date. The Cycling Level you choose directly relates to the credits you will receive for the program and how long the flow of electricity to your compressor will be interrupted during regional Emergency Events:

For a 50% Cycling Level, the run-time of your air conditioning Compressor is reduced by 50%.
For a 75% Cycling Level, the run-time of your air conditioning Compressor is reduced by 75%.
For a 100% Cycling Level, the run-time of your air conditioning Compressor is reduced by 100%.

Your fan will continue to circulate air throughout your home during the Cycling Event.

Note: All PeakRewards℠ participants will be cycled at the 50% level during Non-Emergency events.

Demand Response: Demand Response programs are designed to manage customer use of electricity in response to periods of very high electricity demand and/or pricing. Having customers reduce their energy use at critical times or in response to market prices, such as with PeakRewards℠, benefits you, the community, and the environment. By effectively managing electricity supply, you are helping to avoid building new power plants to meet the growing demand, and keeping the price of electricity lower than it otherwise would be.

Demand Side Management (DSM): All inclusive umbrella term for the set of programs and activities of electric utility companies that are developed to encourage customers to modify their level and pattern of electricity usage. DSM includes both Demand Response and Energy Efficiency & Conservation programs. See Demand Response.

Distribution System Operators (DSO): Responsible for managing the local distribution of electricity and for initiating and overseeing localized Cycling Events.

Electric Delivery Infrastructure: Consists of power generation plants and delivery systems including transmission and distribution lines. Visit the following link to view an electricity delivery diagram: http://www.bge.com/myaccount/energysupplyoptions/choosingsupplier/Pages/Supply-and-Delivery.aspx

Load Reduction: The amount of electric demand reduced during periods of high usage.

MD Public Service Commission (PSC): An independent administrative agency within the Executive Branch of State government that regulates public utilities' services and programs.

Meter Data Management System (MDMS): Refers to a common meter data repository that centrally stores, secures and validates all customer metering data. Customer meter data is usage data and other associated data recorded by the meter.

Override: You can choose to "opt out" of the PeakRewards℠ program during a Non-Emergency Event on a particular date. An Override can be scheduled in advance or at the beginning of a Non-Emergency Event by calling the PeakRewards℠ Hotline at: 1-888-309-PEAK (7325) or via the web. Click here to learn more about Online Access.

Peak Electric Demand: Override: You can choose to "opt out" of the PeakRewards℠ program during a Non-Emergency Event on a particular date. An Override can be scheduled in advance or at the beginning of a Non-Emergency Event by calling the PeakRewards℠ Hotline at: 1-888-309-PEAK (7325) or via the web. Click here to learn more about Online Access.

PeakRewards℠: A voluntary BGE Demand Response program, which offers qualified residential customers with central air conditioning or electric heat pumps the following benefits:

Money-saving credits on your BGE bill in June-September, totaling $50, $75, or $100 every summer you participate in the program.
An additional $50, $75, or $100 one-time matching sign-up bonus, which doubles your first year's savings.
Choice of a Honeywell programmable thermostat to help you manage your home's energy consumption saving you up to 15%, or an outdoor air conditioner switch. Programmable thermostat savings vary and 15% is based on an average of $180 savings per year.
Multiple savings with multiple central air conditioning units--you will receive additional money-saving credits and matching bonus if you have multiple units.
Helps to protect our environment and reduce our carbon footprint.

PJM: A Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM's obligation as a federally regulated RTO means that it acts independently and impartially in managing the regional transmission system and the wholesale electricity market and to monitor reliability.

Radio Signal: Refers to the broadcasting communication sent from BGE to the Smart Switch or Smart Thermostat, which periodically interrupts the flow of electricity to the Compressor on your air conditioner or heat pump for a period of time during a PeakRewards℠ Cycling Event.

Regional Power Grids: The Electric Delivery Infrastructure consisting of a network of lines, which supply the electric current coming into your home or business from the generation plants. It is designed to maintain a dynamic balance between the consumer demand for electricity and the amount being supplied by generators.

Reliability: The ability of a system to perform its required functions under certain conditions for a specified period of time. Power Reliability can be defined by the ability to deliver electricity to customers within accepted standards and in the amount desired avoiding blackouts or brownouts.

Remote Programming: You can update your PeakRewards℠ program preferences, schedule the override of a Non-Emergency Cycling Event and change thermostat settings via PeakRewards℠ Online Access. To access PeakRewards℠ Online Access, simply log onto bge.com/myaccount.

Smart Switch: A "Smart Technology" device that receives a Radio Signal to begin the Cycling process, which turns the air conditioning Compressor off and on for short periods of time, typically in the summer when electricity demand is at its peak. It is mounted near your outdoor air conditioning unit, typically on your house. If you choose a Smart Switch during enrollment, it can be professionally installed at your home without scheduling.

Smart Technology: Technologically advanced load control devices with enhanced communication, which BGE can use during a Cycling Event.

Smart Thermostat: A "Smart Technology" device, which can save you money and help keep your home comfortable. The Smart Thermostat has programmable features, which allow you to automatically adjust your temperature settings while you are asleep or away, saving you up to 15%* on heating and cooling costs year round. It also has a radio controlled device that enables BGE to Cycle your air conditioning Compressor off and on for short periods of time, typically in the summer when electricity demand is at its peak. Remote programming is now available which will allow you to adjust your Smart Thermostat settings while you are away from your home.

* Savings vary and 15% is based on an average of $180 savings per year.