Emergency Load Reduction Program

With the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP) A4, eligible SDG&E customers with battery storage can be compensated for providing energy from their battery during a grid emergency. 

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How It Works

Increased demand for cooling in the hot summer months can lead to a strain on the electrical grid, creating a higher risk of power outages. As a result, the Emergency Load Reduction Program was created to allow customers in SDG&E's service territory to voluntarily support the electric grid by discharging energy stored in their battery when the grid is especially stressed — and get incentives. 

Customers who own an approved battery storage device by a participating manufacturer may enroll in the program and earn compensation during an emergency event. An event may be called any day of the week from 4-9 p.m. during the months of May through October. Emergency events can last between one and five hours. During a grid emergency, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issues an Emergency Energy Alert, and SDG&E activates the ELRP program and notifies your battery manufacturer of an event. Participants will be compensated by their battery manufacturer.  

Program Eligibility 

This program is available to bundled customers in SDG&E’s service territory. It is also available to Direct Access (“DA”) and Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) customers.  

  • Customers may not participate in a Rule 32 program and ELRP A.4 at the same time. 
  • Customers currently enrolled in Power Saver Rewards (PSR) will be unenrolled from the program upon enrollment in ELRP A.4. 
  • Customers can actively participate in AC Saver and ELRP A.4 at the same time. 
  • Customers can be enrolled in a Time of Use Plus (DR-TOU-P) pricing plan and enroll in the ELRP A.4 program. 

How Do I Enroll? 

To participate, you must enroll through your battery storage manufacturer. Contact your battery storage manufacturer to see if they are participating in the Emergency Load Reduction Program with SDG&E. 

 For more information about this program, you can refer to the Decision D.21-12-015, which can be found on the California Public Utilities Commission website. 

 The programs described herein are funded by California utility customers and administered by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®) under the auspices of the CPUC.