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Hawaiian Electric to launch demand response programs

Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. is launching several demand response energy conservation programs following the approval of regulators.

Under the program, initially available on O'ahu and Maui, customers who wish to participate will allow the utility to control certain household appliances in a way that impacts energy demand. For example, Hawaiian Electric Co.'s "Scout" program offers bill credits to customers if they installed a wireless switch that allowed the Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. utility to briefly turn off their water heaters in a sudden shortfall of electricity.

With the latest demand response program, the utility envisions a broader, more advanced approach that could potentially shift "hundreds of megawatts" of electricity from thousands of participating homes and business, according to a Feb. 7 news release, and include residential battery storage systems and electric vehicles.

The company and third-party partners are in the process of developing tariffs, rate schedules and grid services purchase agreements with the aim to have the first participants online by the second half of 2018. The rates and other financing mechanisms are subject to approval by regulators.