USA- Comverge (www.comverge.com) announced that Entergy Arkansas has selected Comverge to implement a fully outsourced, pay-for-performance, Virtual Peaking Capacity (VPC) program.

Under the terms of the multi-million dollar agreement, Comverge will provide 15 megawatts (MWs) of capacity to Entergy Arkansas through its comprehensive suite of intelligent energy management software, hardware and services. 

Entergy Arkansas is the 25th utility to deploy Comverge's IntelliSOURCE software platform, which enables automation and end-to-end support for mass-market demand response programs.

"We are working with Comverge to deliver an innovative demand response program to our community as part of our comprehensive Energy Efficiency Plan," said Richard Smith, Manager, Energy Efficiency Resource Planning, Entergy Arkansas.

"This is one of several programs that will help us achieve peak electric demand reductions and improve affordability of energy to all customers."

Comverge VPC programs reduce risk and capital investment for utilities by operating on a pay-for-performance basis.

The VPC programs also demonstrate the reliability and predictability of Comverge demand response solutions as Comverge only receives payment for the verifiable megawatts of capacity actually delivered.

At Entergy Arkansas, Comverge's IntelliSOURCE platform will support the full lifecycle of the new demand response program, including customer acquisition, program management and event control, measurement, analysis and optimization.

The comprehensive Comverge program will help Entergy Arkansas meet its energy efficiency and demand management targets mandated by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

"Entergy Arkansas needed a partner that could help it efficiently achieve corporate-wide demand management and energy efficiency goals," said R. Blake Young, Comverge President and Chief Executive Officer.

"With our VPC program, we have helped Entergy Arkansas take the risk and complexity out of executing a mass-market demand response program. The combination of our proven and integrated software, hardware and services will enable Entergy Arkansas to meet its specific load reduction requirements while also helping it enhance the experience it can offer to customers."

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to more than 692,000 customers in 63 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.

Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States.