For Businesses

Contracted Direct Load Control (CDLC)

During warm weather months, WPS is often pushed to the high end of our electric capacity. Over the years, electric use has substantially increased, making it even more challenging to meet customers' energy needs during peak months.

By signing up for Contracted Direct Load Control, you are giving WPS the option of managing your power supply during occasional high-demand periods and power supply emergencies. This lightens the overall electric load, reduces your costs and benefits the environment.

How Does Contracted Direct Load Control Work?

WPS installs a small switch on one or more pieces of electrical equipment in your facility. This switch cycles the equipment off and on, or disconnects it for brief periods of time, during high-demand periods or a power supply emergency.

In exchange for your participation, you receive credits on your WPS bill based on the amount of load we manage and the time of year the managed equipment is operating. A monthly charge of $6 to $28 per switch covers the costs of installing and maintaining the switch.

What Equipment Should You Control?

You may want to consider controlling any of your high energy use electrical equipment that can be turned off or cycled for up to eight hours per day. Equipment may include:

CDLC Options

For each piece of equipment selected for Contracted Direct Load Control, you can choose from three ways to save.

  1. Summer 50% Cycling
    • Air conditioning equipment may be electrically shut off for 15 minutes out of every 30 minutes.
    • Hours off per calendar year: Normally, no more than 100.
    • Your bill credit: $6.50 per kilowatt per month from June-September.
  2. Summer 100% Load Shed
    • Air conditioners, decorative fountains, irrigation systems or other equipment operated only in the summer may be electrically disconnected for no more than 8 hours a day. This is most likely to occur in the afternoon and early evening.
    • Hours off per calendar year: Normally, no more than 50.
    • Your bill credit: $6.50 per kilowatt per month from June-September.
  3. Year-Round 100% Load Shed
    • Lighting, water heating, motors or pumps that are operated yearround may be electrically disconnected for no more than 8 hours a day. This is most likely to occur in the afternoon and early evening.
    • WPS may also be able to connect a switch to your energy management system, which would then regulate other equipment.
    • Hours off per calendar year: Normally, no more than 100.
    • Your bill credit: $4.35 per kilowatt per month all year.

To Participate in CDLC

To enroll in Contracted Direct Load Control, or for more information, contact us today by calling 877-444-0888 or e-mailing businesscenter@wisconsinpublicservice.com. A WPS representative can help you calculate loads, bill credits and switch charges to determine whether Contracted Direct Load Control is right for your company.