The Capacity Bidding Program – Elect (CBP-E) rewards business and residential customers for temporarily reducing electricity use during periods of high demand. By committing to using less energy when a CBP-E event is called, participants can help prevent outages while earning incentives that can reduce their electric bill.
How Do I Enroll in CBP-E?
Choose the enrollment path that fits how you want CBP-E managed:
- CBP-E: Direct Participation Option (CBP-E Direct): enrollment, administration and payments are managed by SCE and its authorized operator.
- CBP-E through an aggregator: enrollment, administration and payments are managed by an SCE-approved third-party aggregator.
How Does CBP-E Direct Compare With CBP-E Through an Aggregator?
| Feature | CBP-E Direct | CBP-E through an aggregator |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment/Program Administration | Managed by SCE and SCE’s authorized operator | Managed by a third-party aggregator |
| Capacity Rate | 50% of the capacity rate paid directly to the customer (typically at the end of the season) | 100% of the capacity rate paid directly to the aggregator each month during the event season |
Review the CBP-E tariff sheet for complete terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
All active business and residential SCE customers are eligible.
Customers cannot participate in CBP-E if they are on the Base Interruptible Program, Critical Peak Pricing, Real Time Pricing, Agricultural Pumping Interruptible or lighting rates — nor if they are enrolled in other SCE demand response programs.
CBP-E offers two types of incentive payments:
- Capacity Payments: Monthly payments for committing to reduce a certain amount of electricity, called nominations, even if no events are called. These are determined by a calculation using the participant’s monthly nomination and the applicable tariff capacity rate in a given month.
- Energy Payments: Payments for when a participant reduces electricity usage during a CBP-E event. Amounts depend on the participant’s nominated capacity, actual load reduction achieved during the event and applicable market prices.
Events may be called between May 1 and Oct. 31 during these time windows:
- May: 5-10 p.m.
- June-Oct.: 4-9 p.m.
Events may be called in response to weather, testing, measurement and evaluation, system-related energy shortages, or high energy prices.
Events last between one and five hours and are usually scheduled on a day-ahead basis. Participants will not be required to reduce load for more than one event per day or for more than 24 hours per month.
Shift energy-intensive processes by a few hours. Examples include adjusting lighting, manufacturing processes, HVAC equipment use or battery charging times.
Customers that participate in CBP-E Direct or CBP-E through an aggregator are subject to the same CBP-E tariff rules, including performance requirements and potential penalties.
With CBP-E Direct, enrollment, program administration and payments are conducted by SCE or its authorized operator. With CBP-E through an aggregator, these activities are conducted by a third-party aggregator. Additionally, incentive amounts between the two may differ.
Customers choose which participation pathway best suits their needs. CBP-E Direct may be desirable for customers who prefer to work directly with SCE. CBP-E through an aggregator may be desirable for customers who prefer to have third-party services or support.