Johnson Controls, a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries, has acquired EnergyConnect Group, Inc., a provider of smart grid demand response services and technologies.

The acquisition, which was completed on July, 1, 2011, enables Johnson Controls to help building owners and operators manage how much energy their buildings consume and when the energy is consumed – a critical feature of connecting smart buildings to the smart grid.

Industry experts said that the EnergyConnect acquisition enhances Johnson Controls' Building Efficiency business as a demand response leader in the large commercial, industrial and institutional markets.

"One of our strategies at Johnson Controls Building Efficiency is to play a significant role in the growing market for demand response services by enabling smart buildings to interface seamlessly into the grid," said Dave Myers, vice president of Johnson Controls and president of the company's Building Efficiency business, in a statement.

Myers said that with the acquisition of EnergyConnect, Johnson Controls now combines the power of building automation systems with an intuitive technology platform that provides the customers the ability to take action to capture demand response opportunities.  

“This creates a new level of building intelligence," he said.

EnergyConnect's demand response technology and service platform provides energy managers and facility operators real-time energy information and access to energy markets, enabling them to manage their energy usage.  EnergyConnect's GridConnect technology platform provides a scalable, cost-effective, clean technology to enhance the grid's efficiency and reliability.

Kevin R. Evans, former president and chief executive officer of EnergyConnect said that Johnson Controls recognized the benefits of EnergyConnect's leadership in demand response technology.

"We have experienced outstanding growth and customer adoption since the launch of our award-winning GridConnect platform last year. Through the Johnson Controls acquisition, we are now positioned to extend this reach to a significantly larger customer base and accelerate the transformation of energy use in response to market prices while enhancing grid reliability," said Evans

Evans will continue to lead the EnergyConnect team as vice president and general manager for Demand Response Services for Johnson Controls Building Efficiency.