Presenter: Jeff Woodard
Director, Five Point Partners

This session involves utility companies and a software provider discussing models for....

This multi-presenter session will include the importance and logistics of driving customers to your website, eBilling and payments, outage....

Texas-based TXU Corp's retail electricity division, TXU Energy, intends to deploy two new strategies this summer--a new billing option and a program to test a household power monitoring device, according to TXU Energy chief executive Jim Burke. He added that these efforts were being made to distinguish the company from others in the areas of reliability and customer service. The new billing system will allow the calculation of an average electricity rate for a 12-month period, intended to further reduce volatility within the bill. The firm's existing billing system is limited to calculating the average amount of electricity a customer uses over 12 months, and billing that amount each month. Burke said he also plans to test electricity monitoring machines designed to be used inside the home and show the amount of power a household has used at any time during the month. The device would help customers track their consumption prior to the bill's arrival and make necessary budgeting decisions. Recently, TXU has also said it will install broadband over power line technology to allow customers to sign up for Internet service. The technology will allow power providers to offer additional services, such a time-of-use option suggested by TXU chief executive John Wilder. The option would allow customers to be charged lower rates for electricity used at off-peak times, such as evenings or weekends.

Abstract News © Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.

Connecticut's Department of Public Utility Control said Wednesday that it will not rule on whether utilities can impose a "convenience fee" on customers who pay with a credit card because doing so would involve interpreting a particular state statute that, since it is not a public service company statute, does not fall within its jurisdiction.

TXU Corp. chose Capgemini when exploring ways to outsource its back-office operations. The Capgemini Energy partnership covers business process services and information technology solutions.

Electricity customers can reduce their monthly energy bills via use of advanced electricity meters that allow them to monitor electricity prices in real-time. California regulators, plus Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) back use of the advanced electricity meters. The two utilities will invest $2 billion to install the meters at homes throughout the state. The utilities and regulators hope homeowners use the devices to take advantage of energy savings offered through cheaper electric rates in off-peak hours. Utilities also hope use of the devices will allow them to eventually reduce costs incurred by employing thousands of meter readers. Several other states--including Florida and Pennsylvania--have reduced costs through implementing advanced meters. California reported that electricity consumption decreased by 13 percent for 2,500 homes who were involved in a pilot project to assess the technology. Program participants were given both "smart" electronic thermostats and advanced meters to take a proactive role in their energy use. PG&E hopes to recover its upfront costs for installing advanced meters through a residential and small-business electricity rate increase of 1.1 percent and by eliminating its meter reader workforce. SDG&E plans to wait until 2013 before it installs advanced meters, which contrasts with the faster deployment planned by PG&E.

 
Abstract News © Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.