Constellation Energy launches VirtuWatt 3.0

Constellation Energy introduced VirtuWatt 3.0, the next generation of its online energy management application for commercial users. The company's VirtuWatt web application, which is also available as an iPhone and iPad app, enables Constellation customers to better monitor and manage their electricity use and maximize the financial benefits of load response programs through minute-to-minute meter telemetry, real-time pricing information, marketplace bidding capabilities, and automated energy curtailment strategies. VirtuWatt 3.0 provides users the ability to customize data views, including grid load, temperature and electricity price correlation, and day-ahead and real-time locational marginal pricing (LMP), as well as create user-defined roles for data access and system functionality. Electricity usage data can be tracked by type of use (A/C, lighting, etc.) or by facility location. The application also allows users an enterprise-view of electricity usage and data grouped by independent system operator or regional transmission organization location. "Technology is rapidly changing the way we manage our energy use," said Peter Kelly-Detwiler, senior vice president, load response, for Constellation Energy. "Access to real-time pricing combined with automation has enabled customers to be much more strategic about how and when they use electricity. VirtuWatt 3.0 takes that a step further by allowing users to view their usage at an enterprise versus facility level and to develop energy management strategies based on their own parameters for price or usage." "We are always looking for ways to enhance VirtuWatt's functionality based on feedback from our customers," said Kelly-Detwiler. "Later this year, we will incorporate automated customer notifications for price, usage and load response compliance." Constellation first launched its VirtuWatt application in 2010. The company announced VirtuWatt 3.0 during GridWeek 2011 in Washington, D.C. Constellation Energy currently manages more than 1,500 megawatts of load response for commercial and industrial customers in the PJM, New England, New York, ERCOT, California and Ontario regions.