DR Strategies Using Two-Way Connectivity for Commercial Ice Machines

Project Summary

This project evaluates innovative controls and strategies that allow commercial customers to participate in demand response (DR) programs by shedding load from ice machines. Field tests were conducted at several customers’ sites to understand deployment challenges and customer acceptance. The goal is to reduce as much ice making load as possible, during a DR event, with minimal impact to customers. This information is important in potentially creating preset strategies to be made available to the foodservice industry and customers to increase participation in DR programs. This project represents a significant step in having ice machine manufacturers make commercially available DR-ready ice machines.