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Consumer engagement is one of the biggest challenges facing utilities today. Identifying the messaging, programs and incentives that will get consumers on the energy-saving bandwagon and engaged in the benefits of a smart grid, smart meters, demand response, home energy monitoring and other energy efficiency initiatives is the challenge of utility consumer engagement. Fortunately there is extensive consumer engagement research available, from the use of behavioral science to customer segmentation marketing and best practices. This section provides news and resources on challenges and successes in consumer engagement for utilities.
Results: 303 results found. You are on page 1 of 21 pages.
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National Grid plans to add a Sustainability Hub to its smart grid pilot in Worcester, MA to help educate customers and the community about energy efficiency and emerging technologies. National Grid has gone a long way to get and keep customers involved in the project from the very beginning.
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The Daily Mail is using the UK's pending smart meter rollout as the excuse to run a "Big Brother" scare story about sinister technology that turns off refrigerators and freezers without their owner's consent. But the rabble rousers are adding another angle that may be even more nefarious.
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Should we be talking to consumers about smart homes instead of smart meters? That's what a new study out of the UK seems to suggest. Click for a quick peek at that report and three more we think you'll find as interesting as we did.
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A BRIDGE Energy survey of more than 20,000 utility employees has some troubling findings. Even though most utilities get that they need to improve their customer service strategies, most are finding significant obstacles in the way. Click to see where the problem areas are.
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Every so often we highlight clever, unusual or just plain cool things electric utilities do to engage and educate their customers or help out in their communities. Click for a look at our latest list - there may be a few ideas you want to borrow.
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As part of its advanced metering upgrade program, Silicon Valley Power flipped the switch this week to provide its Santa Clara customers with free, community-wide, outdoor wireless Internet access.
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The importance of interval usage data for the power industry is a story that needs to be told... again and again. You'll see why after reading today's guest column by Chris King of Siemens. He lists five compelling ways interval usage data for every customer can help utilities achieve maximum benefits from smart meter investments.
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The pros and cons of time-of-use electricity rates have been debated in the U.S. for some time, with much handwringing over whether customers will go for it. As it turns out, a UK trial has shown that customers there prefer TOU and are willing to change their energy use habits to save money.
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Against the backdrop of smart meter rollouts - and some well-publicized resistance to them - many utilities have had to rethink customer strategies. Click for a new report from the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative that highlights the successes of four U.S. utilities that are doing it right.
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Pecan Street and collaborators are launching a field trial to identify the impact and benefits of new pricing models and other tools designed to move electricity demand away from periods when the grid is stressed. But we can't help wondering: Do we really need another trial?
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A new utility spending analysis offers up a startling conclusion. It suggests customers are paying more for power and getting less reliability. How did we get to this point? Click for some thoughts on that.
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Houston-based CenterPoint Energy is one of the world's true smart grid leaders. So when CenterPoint makes a move, it's worth paying attention. This time, they are launching a company-wide platform for customer interaction, one that pulls together all four of its lines of business in all six of its states.
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From rebates and smart home makeovers to online games and electrifying theatrical performances, you may be as surprised as we were at some of the creative ways power companies are sending a little love to their customers and communities. Click for seven customer engagement ideas that may inspire you.
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TXU Energy seems to really want its customers to cut back on habits that waste energy. The company offers a variety of products, plans and services designed to do just that - from smart thermostats to buyback programs for customers with surpluses from their wind and solar power systems.
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One of the many things high on the smart grid wish list is grid-connected homes and businesses capable of responding to changing grid conditions, but that wish begs the question: How do we provide that level of grid connectivity in a time of constant innovation and competing standards? A new standard from the Consumer Electronics Association may well answer that question.
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