TMCnet's Smarter Utility Week in Review

- Alert) has announced it is working with electric companies and appliance manufacturers to build smart controllers in appliances; refrigerators, washer/dryers

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TMCnet's Smarter Utility Week in Review

- Alert), developer of computer hardware systems and enterprise software products, has introduced Oracle Utilities Operational Device Management. This software is meant to aid utilities in managing the change, configuration and inventory of smart grid assets for operational efficiency. Oracle Utilities Operational Device Management was developed to meet the asset management needs of "smart devices," allowing the software to act as a middle man between traditional devices and more complex devices."The addition of 'smart devices' into the utility infrastructure is changing business operations across the enterprise. Utilities have been challenged to manage these new operations efficiently as traditional asset management systems cannot handle the complexity," commented Rodger Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Utilities, adding, "Oracle Utilities Operational Device Management helps manage the intricacy of smart devices with more speed, accuracy and cost savings, which will lead to greater operational efficiencies for utilities."

And finally, during a summer of record heat and drought (did we all just think, climate change?), U.S. electric utilities are helping customers save money on energy and savor some winnings—just for visiting their social media sites. We did a strictly casual survey of utilities’ sites on Facebook (News - Alert)—where they have, perhaps, the biggest social media presence—and found the following: At the Arizona Public Service page, Energy Activist Steve Nash is waiting to give guests “13 Energy Assists” (on the order of, “Replace old incandescent bulbs with CFLS”); as well as the use of a carbon calculator (for ratepayers only); and a listing a events where you can meet him in the flesh (including the Maricopa Home and Garden Show in Phoenix on August 3). Xcel Energy of Colorado offers an “Efficiency Proficiency Test” tied into a sweepstakes. The utility says, “’Like’ this page and test your energy Efficiency Proficiency ... you can enter for a chance to win $1,000 toward new ENERGY STAR (News - Alert) appliances.” We presume that include air conditioners! And at the TXU Energy (Texas) website, the hotter the weather gets, the richer the winners of an ongoing sweepstakes become. The jackpot rises along with the temperature–up to $10,000. With the heat at 104 degrees this week in Texas, it’s almost like striking gold. The success of these programs is strictly debatable. Duke Energy (News - Alert) (North Carolina) has become one of the largest utilities in the nation since its merger with Progress Energy. Yet, the Duke Youtility page on Facebook has only 3,271 “Likes,” as of this week—and most of the recent comments are complaints about power failures and rate increases. However, it’s probably better to have a social media presence than to be missing in action. Most customers become interested in their electricity only when it doesn’t work, experts say—but then, they hit your social media sites by the thousands. Asking them to “Like” you at that point might be a stretch.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO. Follow us on Twitter.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. blog comments powered by Disqus Smarter Utility Resources Tomorrow's Intelligent Utility: Energy and UtilitiesAT&T and Cooper Power Offer Wireless Smart Grid SensorsWireless Smart Grid Technology for UtilitiesNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation
Whitepapers Deploying AMI SolutionsNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation The Intelligent Utility Enterprise and The Role of Telecommunications Providers
Smarter Utility Community Sponsored by AT&T. Powered by Technology Marketing Corp. 1997-2011 Copyright.

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TMCnet's Smarter Utility Week in Review

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TMCnet Smarter Utility Week in Review

- Alert) 2012 meeting in New Orleans on May 8, will position AT&T head-to-head with home security’s incumbent leader, ADT Security Services, based in Boca Raton, Florida; as well as such other recent telecommunications entrants as New York City-based Verizon Communications Inc. and Philadelphia-based Comcast (News

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TMCnet's Smarter Utility Week in Review

- Alert). The platform facilitates social interaction by enabling visitor authentication based on social network credentials.  “Not long ago, utilities communicated once a month with their customers in the form of a mailed paper bill. Today’s customers expect self-service access, anytime, to a wide variety of features on their utility’s Web site,” said Rodger Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Utilities.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has released a Proposed Decision —consistent with legislation by California Senate’s Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee —that is almost certain to make the Golden State the first in America to develop an on-bill repayment (OBR) program for both commercial and consumer energy efficiency and renewable generation projects. Momentum behind the state’s new funding mechanism has been provided by the Environmental Defense Fund, which has built a coalition of environmental groups, financial institutions, contractors and project developers to support it. According to EDF, the concept is simple: Building owners and renters would receive up-front funding for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable electricity generation projects, through bank or other private loans that would be repaid through their energy bills. This is the first such OBR program to be financed entirely by third-party investors—at no cost to taxpayers or ratepayers. At a time when federal funding is waning, EDF said that a statewide on-bill repayment (OBR) program in California could generate annual investment of $2.7 in residential energy efficiency and renewable projects. The CPUC decision directs the state’s three largest utilities – PG&E (News - Alert), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric – to develop OBR programs for commercial properties. To provide the same programs to homeowners and renters, the EDF sponsored legislation introduced by California Senator Kevin de Leon, which passed through the Committee on April 24. The CPUC is expected to vote on its proposed decision on May 10, 2012. The bill will continue being heard and voted on over the coming months. Once the final votes are in, California aims to have the commercial OBR program up and running by January 2013.

In related news, New York State recently passed legislation authorizing a state agency, the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), to establish an on-bill recovery program for residential, small business and multi-family properties. This program is expected to be the largest on-bill program executed to date. Loans will be initially underwritten by NYSERDA, which will pay fees to the utilities to cover utility costs for providing billing services. Upon sale of the property, the loan can either be prepaid or can stay with the meter.

The Motive Group, an organization that plans, funds, and deploys critical next-generation network infrastructure, recently announced it will build an advanced infrastructure for Opelika, Alabama, that will help authorities in Opelika to accurately measure energy usage. The authorities will be using advanced meter reading over fiber to each home and business, ensuring cost savings and low latency for smart grid applications.”Fiber optic infrastructure is a key component to Opelika's ability to deliver next-generation electric, voice, video and ultra-high-speed data services to the citizens and businesses of Opelika," said Mayor Gary Fuller. "The data services, alone, are desperately needed to foster economic growth, generate revenues that pay for the advanced smart grid over time; and enhance our education and healthcare systems."

Vertex (News - Alert) Business Services just signed a 10-year contract with EPCOR Water USA, Inc., to provide business process outsourcing (BPO), customer care, and dispatch services for 127,000 accounts in Arizona and New Mexico. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, EPCOR runs a water and wastewater treatment operation with facilities it builds and operates. Its services extend through America's southwestern region.  Jim McKee, vice president of EPCOR's Corporate Services, said, "EPCOR USA was looking for a partner with significant utility expertise and the ability to help us provide excellent customer service to our customers …. We're pleased with our partnership and look forward to working with Vertex as we grow our water and wastewater business in the United States."

Finally, based on a recent online survey of 2,500 U.S. households commissioned by Brookfield, Wisconsin-based Fiserv, consumers choose to view bills online because of the convenience (30 percent), paper and energy savings (21 percent), ability to view the bill online along with email payment reminders (11 percent), and reduction in paper (11 percent). In fact, one in five said he or she would be persuaded to discontinue paper bills in favor of e-bills, if enrolling in paperless billing and payment would have a real impact on the environment. Of the 59 percent of consumers who already use recurring payments, Fiserv found that 57 percent do so through their online banking solution, while 42 percent use the recurring payment option at a biller’s website. Most consumers use their checking accounts to fund recurring payments, followed by debit and credit cards.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. blog comments powered by Disqus Smarter Utility Resources Tomorrow's Intelligent Utility: Energy and UtilitiesAT&T and Cooper Power Offer Wireless Smart Grid SensorsWireless Smart Grid Technology for UtilitiesNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation
Whitepapers Deploying AMI SolutionsNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation The Intelligent Utility Enterprise and The Role of Telecommunications Providers
Smarter Utility Community Sponsored by AT&T. Powered by Technology Marketing Corp. 1997-2011 Copyright.

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TMCnet Smarter Utility Week in Review

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TMCnet's Smarter Utility Week in Review

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