More than 100 of San Francisco’s largest businesses have joined PG&E’s and The Energy Coalition’s Business Energy Coalition Demand Response program this year in an initiative to reduce power usage during periods of peak energy demand.

BEC member companies work with demand response engineering personnel to install technology systems at each property, allowing facility managers to monitor and control energy usage via a software program that enables the tracking of energy usage at all the participating properties. The technology is provided at no cost to the participating company.

Once notified on “Energy Action Days,” participating businesses implement protocols designed to not disrupt business, such as reducing output at their central plant (pumps and motors), adjusting thermostat settings, or turning off decorative lighting and fountains.

BEC members have saved as much as 15 percent on energy costs, and are additionally rewarded for their energy saving practices with incentives from the CPUC.