Cork Internet Exchange

CIX is a 16,000 square foot facility with 1.8MVA of generative capacity. Since opening in 2008, CIX has grown to become the prime IP connectivity centre for the entire Munster region of Ireland. Companies such as Vodafone, BT, COLT, and Hibernia Networks use the facility as a major regional point of presence. As a participant in the grid operator Eirgrid’s demand response program, CIX can guarantee 300kW of curtailed load for up to 20 dispatches in a given year. 

CIX enrolled in demand response in 2012, after two years of successful participation, managing director Jerry Sweeney believes demand response hasn’t adversely affected CIX’s reliability in any way; in fact, it’s become a competitive advantage. 

For CIX, after wages and connectivity, energy is the third largest expense—currently €300,000 and growing by 25% annually.  Through demand response CIX earns north of €10,000 in capacity payments—payments made simply for being on stand-by—in addition to a rebate on any diesel fuel costs.