Demand Side Management (DSM) Program Delivery for Utilities and System Operators

Utilities and system operators across Canada rely on Demand Side Management (DSM) programs to reduce energy consumption, manage system demand, and support broader decarbonization objectives. Translating program design into measurable results requires experienced delivery partners with the technical expertise, program management discipline, and collaborative approach needed to implement energy-efficiency initiatives at scale.

For more than two decades, Aladaco has supported the delivery of energy efficiency and conservation programs across multiple jurisdictions, helping utilities, system operators, and government agencies translate program objectives into verified energy savings.

DSM Program Delivery at a Glance

Since 2005, Aladaco’s program delivery work has supported:

• 5,600+ applications processed with more than 20,000 measures implemented

• ~700 GWh in verified energy savings achieved

• ~$85 million in incentives distributed to participating organizations

Approximately 700 GWh of energy savings is enough to power roughly 75,000 Ontario homes for a year, avoid about 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and offset the need for roughly 90 MW of generation capacity.

These outcomes reflect collaboration among utilities, program administrators, and participating organizations to implement practical energy efficiency solutions across the commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, and multi-residential sectors.

DSM Program Delivery Capabilities

Aladaco supports utilities, system operators, and program administrators with the design, implementation, and verification of demand side management programs.

Core services include:

• DSM program design and development

• Program administration

• Participant engagement and project development

• Engineering review of custom efficiency projects

• Technical validation and third-party project review

• Measurement, reporting, and verification

• Quality assurance and technical oversight

Aladaco’s work supports utilities and government agencies delivering energy efficiency programs across Canada.

Why Utilities Work With Aladaco

Utilities, system operators, and government agencies select Aladaco as a DSM program delivery partner for our combination of technical expertise, program delivery experience, and structured implementation processes.

Key strengths include:

• Proven program delivery experience across multiple utility program frameworks and jurisdictions

• Engineering and technical expertise supporting complex custom efficiency projects

• Comprehensive quality assurance and verification processes aligned with regulatory expectations

• Collaborative engagement with utilities, delivery partners, and participating organizations

• Experience supporting programs across commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, as well as residential and multi-residential sectors

This experience allows Aladaco to help program administrators translate policy objectives and program frameworks into credible, measurable energy savings.

End-to-End DSM Program Delivery

Effective energy efficiency programs require coordination across several stages, from program design and participant engagement to project implementation and results verification. Aladaco supports the entire program delivery lifecycle, ensuring projects are technically sound, aligned with program rules, and capable of delivering measurable savings.

Program Design and Development

Strong programs begin with clear technical frameworks and sound methodologies. Aladaco supports program administrators with:

• Technical program frameworks

• Measure and incentive design

• Savings methodology development

• Cost-effectiveness analysis

• Stakeholder engagement and jurisdictional scans

These activities help ensure programs are technically defensible, administratively efficient, and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Participant Engagement and Project Development

Demand Side Management programs rely on strong engagement from participating organizations. Aladaco works directly with facilities to help identify eligible projects and navigate program requirements.

Our team supports:

• Customer engagement and facility onboarding

• Energy assessments and opportunity identification

• Technical documentation and application support

This hands-on approach helps participants move efficiently from project concept to implementation.

Technical Review and Validation

Many DSM programs include custom efficiency projects that require independent technical review. Aladaco provides validation services that confirm projects meet program requirements and deliver credible savings estimates.

This includes:

• Validation of baseline assumptions and operating conditions

• Review of engineering calculations and modelling methodologies

• Identification of technical risks and mitigation strategies

• Alignment with program rules and engineering best practices

Program Delivery and Quality Assurance

Successful program administration requires disciplined coordination, reporting, and quality oversight. Aladaco supports program administration through:

• KPI tracking and continuous improvement

• Budget monitoring and reporting

• Quality assurance and quality control

• Program communication and stakeholder engagement

These processes help ensure projects are implemented efficiently while maintaining technical and administrative integrity.

Measurement and Verification 

Post-project verified results are essential to demonstrating program impact. Aladaco develops baseline conditions and applies engineering-calculated savings methodologies aligned with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), ensuring projects withstand regulatory scrutiny and audit review.

DSM Program Experience Across Canada

Aladaco’s program delivery experience spans multiple provinces, program frameworks, and utility models. The team has supported system operators, gas and electric utilities, and Local Distribution Companies delivering energy efficiency programs across commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, and multi-residential sectors.

Provincial and System Operator Programs

XLerate Industrial Program for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

Aladaco currently delivers the Save on Energy XLerate Program for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which supports industrial facilities implementing large-scale energy-efficiency projects. Aladaco provides outreach support to enable program participation and leads technical review services, ensuring measurable electricity savings that meet the program goals.

FortisBC Custom Efficiency Program

Aladaco conducts independent third-party technical reviews of complex custom projects for FortisBC, ensuring that proposed energy savings are technically sound and supported by appropriate engineering analysis. Our reviews assess project assumptions, methodologies, calculations, and supporting documentation to confirm that savings estimates are robust, credible, and aligned with FortisBC program requirements.

IESO Retrofit Program

Aladaco previously supported the delivery of the Save on Energy Retrofit Program across commercial, institutional, industrial, agricultural, and multi-residential sectors. This work helped organizations implement energy efficiency improvements supported by program incentives.

Conservation and Demand Management Programs for Ontario LDCs

Aladaco has supported the delivery of conservation and demand management programs for more than ten Local Distribution Companies across Ontario.

Our involvement began with the Ontario Power Authority’s Third Tranche CDM funding in 2005 and continued through:​

• the 2011 to 2014 Conservation Framework, and

• the 2015 to 2020 Conservation First Framework

Programs delivered included Retrofit, Industrial, PoolSaver, Direct Install Small Business Lighting, Direct Install Business Refrigeration, High Performance New Construction, Energy Manager, Building Commissioning, and Audit Funding.

Through this work, Aladaco supported participant engagement, technical reviews, project development, and program administration, enabling utilities to deliver measurable electricity savings across their service territories.

This experience allows Aladaco to bring proven delivery discipline, QA/QC rigour, and technical oversight to utility and government energy efficiency programs across multiple program frameworks and jurisdictions.

Looking for an Experienced DSM Program Delivery Partner?

Aladaco supports utilities, system operators, and government agencies with the implementation, technical oversight, and verification of demand side management programs across Canada.

The team combines engineering expertise, structured program management, and rigorous quality assurance to help programs achieve credible, measurable energy savings aligned with regulatory and policy objectives.

Organizations developing or implementing energy efficiency programs are welcome to connect with Aladaco to discuss program delivery, technical review, and implementation support.