Latest News – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org Listen, Educate, Collaborate Wed, 08 May 2024 14:32:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://smartenergycc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cropped-SECC_LinkedIn_400x400_option2-32x32.png Latest News – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org 32 32 “Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” Survey Now Available https://smartenergycc.org/electric-vehicles-exploring-consumers-cost-concerns-survey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=electric-vehicles-exploring-consumers-cost-concerns-survey Wed, 08 May 2024 14:30:08 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31991 The post “Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” Survey Now Available appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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LATEST NEWS

“Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” Survey Now Available

May 8, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Snapshot Survey, EVs


Press Release



Read It Here


Latest survey in the Smart Energy Snapshot Series provides insights for electricity providers on educating consumers about the cost benefits of electric vehicles

Fifty-four percent of Americans who do not currently own an electric vehicle (EV) are interested in purchasing one in the future; however, 64 percent cite the purchase price as a significant barrier to ownership, according to the latest survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), a nonprofit organization that studies Americans’ energy-related behaviors, interests and values.

The “Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” survey – the fourth installment in SECC’s Smart Energy Snapshot Series – was fielded to a nationally representative sample of 1,539 respondents in late March as stories about declining consumer interest in EVs made headlines. The new survey explores the cost barriers that consumers may face in the shift to electric transportation and how affordability impacts consumers’ willingness to move away from gas-powered vehicles.

Beyond the purchase price, consumers also have concerns about the cost of installing an EV charger at home (55 percent), unexpected battery costs (48 percent), the cost of electricity (42 percent) and maintenance costs (38 percent), which are known to be less over the lifetime of the vehicle compared to gas-powered cars. When asked to select a single cost barrier that was the most impactful, a plurality of consumers (40 percent) cited the purchase price, with unexpected battery costs a distant second at 14 percent.

An infographic highlighting the key figures from the “Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” survey can be viewed here, and a slide deck with the full survey findings is available exclusively for SECC’s membership here. In addition, we will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. (ET) on the key findings of this Snapshot Survey with guest speakers from Austin Energy, SELCO and Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post “Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers’ Cost Concerns” Survey Now Available appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Upcoming Webinar: Cost Concerns Around Electric Vehicles https://smartenergycc.org/upcoming-webinar-cost-concerns-around-electric-vehicles/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-webinar-cost-concerns-around-electric-vehicles Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:38:46 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31968 The post Upcoming Webinar: Cost Concerns Around Electric Vehicles appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Upcoming Webinar: Cost Concerns Around Electric Vehicles

April 29, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Webinar, Electric Vehicles



Register Here


During this one-hour Peer Connect Webinar on Wednesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. (ET), we will begin by reviewing the key findings from the "Electric Vehicles: Exploring Consumers' Cost Concerns" survey, which will be released next week.

Then, we will hear from three electricity providers – Austin Energy, SELCO and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) – on how they are working to address equity and affordability concerns around EVs in their respective service territories.

Featured speakers:

  • Amy Atchley, EV Equity Development Manager, Austin Energy
  • Mackenzie Martin, Community Projects Manager, Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
  • Patrick Collins, Integrated Resources Analyst, SELCO
  • Jason McGrade, Deputy Director, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative

The post Upcoming Webinar: Cost Concerns Around Electric Vehicles appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Research Release: “2024 State of the Consumer” https://smartenergycc.org/research-release-2024-state-of-the-consumer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=research-release-2024-state-of-the-consumer Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:33:37 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31900 The post Research Release: “2024 State of the Consumer” appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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LATEST NEWS

Research Release: “2024 State of the Consumer”

April 17, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Research, State of the Consumer


Press Release



Read It Here


New report provides actionable takeaways to help energy industry stakeholders better align programs and messaging with consumers’ needs

As American consumers become more in tune with the household energy usage data that’s now widely available from smart home and smart grid technologies, the possibilities of what they can achieve with electricity become more top of mind, finds a new report from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC).

According to the “2024 State of the Consumer” report, a meta-analysis of SECC’s 2023 research agenda, there is also a noticeable correlation between engagement with usage data and trust in electricity providers. Consumers who actively engage with their energy usage data tend to have higher levels of trust and satisfaction, and this trend is particularly pronounced among electric vehicle (EV) drivers, indicating the importance of informed consumer engagement in fostering positive relationships between consumers and providers.

In 2023, SECC’s research agenda included three major studies – “Electrification at Home and on the Road”, “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” and “Renewables: Engaging Consumers in the Clean Energy Transition” – plus three installments of the new Smart Energy Snapshot Surveys, short-form, nationally representative surveys designed to quickly capture Americans’ thoughts on timely energy-related topics. Last year, the Snapshot Surveys covered topics ranging from energy affordability to demand response to power outages.

The “2024 State of the Consumer” report begins with an overview of the key findings and takeaways from SECC’s 2023 consumer research studies, while the second half of the report shares three big-picture themes on energy consumers that emerged from this research:

  1. Consumers demonstrate a strong affinity for the practical advantages of electricity, both at home and on the road.
  2. Consumers show signs of anxiety over cost and reliability.
  3. Consumers are poised to be active participants in grid modernization.

Member organizations can download the new report here, and it is available to the media on request. In addition, SECC’s Deputy Director Jason McGrade will be hosting a one-hour webinar on the report’s highlights on Wednesday, April 24 at 1 p.m. (ET) with additional insights from guest speakers with Touchstone Energy, ICF and Opinion Dynamics.

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post Research Release: “2024 State of the Consumer” appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Upcoming Webinar: 2024 State of the Consumer https://smartenergycc.org/upcoming-webinar-2024-state-of-the-consumer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-webinar-2024-state-of-the-consumer Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:15:16 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31928 The post Upcoming Webinar: 2024 State of the Consumer appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Upcoming Webinar: 2024 State of the Consumer

April 10, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Webinar, Consumer Research



Register Here


Over the past year, the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) conducted consumer research studies on electrification, the smart grid and renewable energy – plus Snapshot Surveys on energy burdens, outages and more. During this Research Brief Webinar on Wednesday, April 24 at 1 p.m. (ET), we will reveal the three major themes on today’s consumers that emerged from this research.

Following the research briefing, guest speakers from Opinion Dynamics, ICF and Touchstone Energy will share additional research findings and utility case study examples that relate to the three key themes from the “2024 State of the Consumer” report. Finally, we will end the presentation with a 10-minute Q&A session. We invite you to prepare questions for our speakers after reading the new report.

Featured speakers:

  • Jason McGrade, Deputy Director, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative
  • Laura Orfanedes, Senior Marketing Director, Marketing & Engagement – Energy, ICF
  • Jordan Folks, Associate Director, Demand Flexibility, Opinion Dynamics
  • Mary Ann Cristiano, Senior Director Consumer Marketing, Touchstone Energy

The post Upcoming Webinar: 2024 State of the Consumer appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Now Available: SECC’s 2023 Annual Report https://smartenergycc.org/now-available-seccs-2023-annual-report/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=now-available-seccs-2023-annual-report Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:29:14 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31655 The post Now Available: SECC’s 2023 Annual Report appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Now Available: SECC’s 2023 Annual Report

March 19, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Annual Report, Members



Download


The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) is excited to release the “2023 Annual Report: The Consumer Voice in the Energy Transition”, which summarizes the organization’s achievements in consumer research, education, events and more during the 2023 calendar year.

In 2023, we published three research reports, two white papers and several case studies and added to the consumer education library with a new series of resources on electric rate plans and a video on smart thermostats. We also launched the new Smart Energy Snapshot Series and completed three surveys for this series.

Last year was also a successful year for events as we produced the 2023 Consumer Symposium at DISTRIBUTECH International in San Diego, the 2023 Members Meeting & Fall Workshop hosted by Red Ventures and a series of nine webinars, including a Summer Webinar Series on energy affordability.

Thank you to all of our members for making 2023 such a successful year for the organization – we look forward to our continued collaboration throughout 2024!

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post Now Available: SECC’s 2023 Annual Report appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Upcoming Webinar: Connecting with Consumers in the Community https://smartenergycc.org/upcoming-webinar-connecting-with-consumers-in-the-community/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-webinar-connecting-with-consumers-in-the-community Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:21:26 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31870 The post Upcoming Webinar: Connecting with Consumers in the Community appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Upcoming Webinar: Connecting with Consumers in the Community

March 14, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Webinar, Consumer Education



Register Here


As electricity providers move toward customer-centricity, they have a multitude of customer engagement and education strategies to consider for connecting with different types of consumers. During this one-hour Peer Connect Webinar on Tuesday, April 9 at 1 p.m. (ET), we will explore how community events can be an essential part of this engagement mix.

First, we will hear from ComEd, the winner of the Consumer Education category of the 2024 Best Practices Awards, on how their Powering Lives Resource Fairs are connecting customers in need with several types of assistance. Then, FreeState Electric Cooperative in Eastern Kansas will share how they are boosting member engagement through their Crew at the Zoo event.

Featured speakers:

  • Nathan Shannon, President & CEO, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative
  • Wendy Kutz, Senior Marketing Specialist, ComEd
  • Sarah Farlee, Communications Manager, FreeState Electric Cooperative

The post Upcoming Webinar: Connecting with Consumers in the Community appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> New Resource: The Energy Bill Fact Sheet https://smartenergycc.org/new-resource-the-energy-bill-fact-sheet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-resource-the-energy-bill-fact-sheet Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:40:52 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31862 The post New Resource: The Energy Bill Fact Sheet appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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LATEST NEWS

New Resource: The Energy Bill Fact Sheet

March 11, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Consumer Education, Energy Bills



View Fact Sheet


The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) is excited to release the first resource in the Questions to Ask to Become a Smarter Energy Consumer educational series, The Energy Bill fact sheet.

It’s no surprise that many consumers have difficulty understanding their energy bills. According to SECC’s research, 56 percent of consumers said that they wish their energy bills were easier to understand, while 43 percent believe that most of what’s included in their bills is just there to distract them from the amount due.

The new fact sheet aims to help clarify some of the key questions that consumers might have about their energy bills, such as “Why is my energy bill different each month?”, “Where can I find more information about my bill?” and “What can I do to lower my energy bill now?”

Share this resource with your customers to help them understand the questions they should ask around their energy bills to become a smarter energy consumer. A version of the fact sheet can also be found on our consumer-facing website, and social media resources are available for members on request.

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact SECC's Communications Director Jonathan Field.

The post New Resource: The Energy Bill Fact Sheet appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> New Case Study: Consumers Energy’s Healthier Homes https://smartenergycc.org/new-case-study-consumers-energys-healthier-homes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-case-study-consumers-energys-healthier-homes Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:29:26 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31839 The post New Case Study: Consumers Energy’s Healthier Homes appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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New Case Study: Consumers Energy’s Healthier Homes Program

March 5, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Case Study, Energy Efficiency



Access Case Study


We’re excited to announce that a new case study – “Linking Energy Efficiency and Healthier Homes” – is now available for download. The case study covers the development of the Healthier Homes program, which connects energy savings and improved health outcomes for lower-income consumers.

While the existing Helping Neighbors program had been successful in reducing energy use and the energy burden for income-eligible customers, Consumers Energy began thinking holistically about its energy efficiency program and potential non-energy impacts that could be delivered to customers.

As a result, Consumers Energy and CLEAResult launched the Healthier Homes program, which works with a health center in Flint, Michigan that refers qualified asthma patients who are likely to benefit from improved indoor air conditions. These customers are then connected to a customer advocate who will be their single point-of-contact as they continue through the program and receive energy efficiency and non-energy waste reduction upgrades.

In 2021, Consumers Energy had close to 100 homes participate in the program, and more than 130 participated in 2022. The projects completed in 2022 included 135 HEPA air purifiers, 386 hypoallergenic mattress covers, 134 dehumidifiers, 260 hypoallergenic pillow coverings and other direct-install measures.

With the addition of the new case study, there are now over 40 success stories available in our archive from a wide range of electricity providers across the United States and Canada, including Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Ameren Illinois, Cobb EMC, London Hydro, AEP Ohio, ComEd and MCE.

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post New Case Study: Consumers Energy’s Healthier Homes appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Winners Announced: 2024 Best Practices Awards https://smartenergycc.org/winners-announced-2024-best-practices-awards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winners-announced-2024-best-practices-awards Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:07 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31653 The post Winners Announced: 2024 Best Practices Awards appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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LATEST NEWS

Winners Announced: 2024 Best Practices Awards

February 26, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Best Practices, Awards, Utilities


Press Release



Read Here


The seventh annual Best Practices Awards highlight the innovative ways that providers are improving customer experience and engagement

The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) today announced the recipients of the 2024 Best Practices Awards at the 2024 Consumer Symposium, a one-day event on the consumer-focused energy transition that is held each year as part of DISTRIBUTECH International, the premier annual event for transmission and distribution.

SECC’s Best Practices Awards, now in their seventh year, recognize leadership from electricity providers in the United States and Canada in the transition to a smarter, more consumer-focused energy ecosystem. The awards highlight programs, technologies and strategies that have proven to deliver significant benefits for residential and/or small business utility customers.

Selected by an independent advisory panel of industry experts, the 2024 winners are:

  • Hydro One has been honored with the Smart Energy Innovation Award for utilizing Bidgely’s AI-driven data analytics to improve the customer experience for electric vehicle (EV) drivers and to better understand the impact of EVs on the grid.
  • Avangrid has been honored with the Culture Transformation Award for developing the Digital Center of Excellence (COE), a cross-functional business unit that is responsible for owning the end-to-end customer experience and the resulting customer satisfaction.
  • PSEG Long Island has been honored with the Consumer Engagement Award for successfully engaging customers in a time-of-use (TOU) rate pilot program through a rate comparison tool, personalized savings information in customer communications, updated bill designs, a multi-channel communications campaign and more.
  • NB Power has been honored with the Energy Equity Award for launching a comprehensive energy efficiency program for low-income homeowners that has provided relief from high energy costs and improved the comfort of homes.
  • ComEd has been honored with the Consumer Education Award for implementing the Powering Lives Resource Fairs to connect customers in need with several types of assistance, including LIHEAP, health screenings, food giveaways and more.
  • Dominion Energy has been honored with the SMB Engagement Award for redesigning an existing small business energy efficiency program to help local businesses deal with economic pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous winners of SECC’s Best Practices Awards include Con Edison, Xcel Energy, SMUD, CPS Energy, Consumers Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, Ameren Illinois, National Grid, Puget Sound Energy, Austin Energy and others. This year, ComEd, Avangrid and NB Power joined a small, distinguished group of multiple-time recipients of the Best Practices Awards.

More information on the winning programs and the two runners-up for each category can be found in the seven-page “2024 Best Practices Guide”.

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post Winners Announced: 2024 Best Practices Awards appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

]]> Research Release: “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” https://smartenergycc.org/research-release-smart-grid-report/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=research-release-smart-grid-report Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:32:18 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31719 The post Research Release: “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Research Release: “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” Report

February 14, 2024
Latest News


Topics
Research, Smart Grid, Energy Data


Press Release



Read It Here


A nationally representative survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative finds considerable support for electric grid improvements

Eighty-seven percent of Americans believe that grid modernization is either very or somewhat important, yet less than half (48 percent) are aware of any steps that their electricity providers are taking to modernize the grid, according to a new survey from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC).

Over the last 15 years, electricity providers have invested considerably in grid modernization, and by the end of 2020, there were over 103 million smart meters nationwide, according to FERC. This investment has enabled a sea change in the amount and detail of information that is available to providers and consumers, offering the promise of expanded capabilities for grid management, load control and real-time communication between consumers and providers.

The “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” report – which is based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,500 respondents who are responsible to making energy-related decisions at home – explores the impact that grid modernization efforts have made on Americans’ satisfaction with and trust of their electricity providers and their awareness of and interest in the detailed electricity usage information that is now widely available.

The research found that 62 percent of consumers view their detailed usage information at least monthly, with an additional 21 percent saying that they view this information at least a few times per year. Among these usage reviewers, 82 percent report having made adjustments at home based on this information, including making changes to their daily routines (47 percent), heating/cooling their homes less (39 percent), installing energy-efficient appliances (25 percent) and adjusting their electricity usage for a financial incentive (19 percent).

While consumers may be unsure whether their electricity providers are taking steps to modernize the grid, they are largely in agreement regarding its importance and the key benefits it can deliver to society. Eighty-five percent of respondents agreed that grid modernization helps their electricity providers plan for future electricity needs, while 76 percent stated that modernizing the electric grid will improve the quality of life in their communities.

The “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” report also explores the reasons why some consumers have not participated in utility programs, if consumers are willing to pay extra for improvements to the electric grid, whether consumers view their providers are trustworthy, the connection between smart home device ownership and reviewing usage information, and more.

More Info


2020 Howell Mill Road NW
Suite D-260
Atlanta, GA 30318
(844) 644-0107

Press inquiries, please contact Jonathan Field.

The post Research Release: “Customer Satisfaction and the Smart Grid” appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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