Eddie from Orlando. Picked up a standalone parking garage as a client. The utility has them on a general commercial rate. The load is primarily lighting, ventilation fans, and EV chargers that were added two years ago. The lighting is LED that runs 24 hours. The ventilation is CO-sensor controlled and cycles frequently. Has anyone worked with parking garage rate class specifically?
Rate class on a parking garage — nobody ever looks at these
Charles from Wichita. Parking garages are a niche I have been developing. The constant low-level lighting load combined with frequent cycling on ventilation creates a demand profile that is more favorable under certain rate classes than general commercial.
Charles, did you find a specific rate class or more of a TOU optimization?
Both actually. The base rate class was wrong — the garage qualified for a municipal or public facilities rate because it was owned by a downtown development authority. And within that rate class a TOU variant was significantly cheaper for their load shape.
Mine is privately owned so the public facilities angle probably does not apply. But TOU is worth exploring given the 24-hour lighting pattern.
Charles again. For private garages I have had luck with interruptible rates on the ventilation load. The CO sensors already turn fans on and off automatically. Adding a demand response component to that cycling is a natural fit and the rate credit is meaningful.
The interruptible angle on the ventilation is creative. Never would have arrived at that on my own. Thank you Charles.