Powering Strong Communities

How Utilities Are Changing

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As technologies and customer expectations change, so do utility practices. Here’s a snapshot of the various ways utilities are changing and what has changed.

Conventional Emergent
Single monthly option for bill payments Choices including prepay and payment plans – that can be made online or in-person
A uniform rate structure for all residential customers Dynamic and segmented residential rates based on customer energy needs and habits, such as electric vehicle drivers
Waiting for customers to come to you with problems Regularly assessing customer needs through ongoing outreach and communication
Procuring only the lowest cost resources Ensuring access to a diverse resource mix and system attributes
Evaluating environmental impact of operations Evaluating energy equity in operations
Reading meters Using AMI
Reliance on peaking plants Dispatching storage assets
Press releases Social media updates
Office-only employees Teleworking and flexible schedules
Indifference to DERs Accounting for and incorporating customer assets into system planning and permitting
Reactive system maintenance and repair Predictive analysis for prioritizing upgrades and replacements
Paper-based processes

Cloud-based processes

 

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