Educational Materials – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org Listen, Educate, Collaborate Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:05:49 +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 Educational Materials – Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative https://smartenergycc.org 32 32 Questions to Ask: The Energy Bill https://smartenergycc.org/questions-to-ask-the-energy-bill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=questions-to-ask-the-energy-bill https://smartenergycc.org/questions-to-ask-the-energy-bill/#comments Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:17:17 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31853 The post Questions to Ask: The Energy Bill appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Fact Sheet

The Energy Bill


Questions to Ask to Become a Smarter Energy Consumer


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.

This new fact sheet – the first in the Questions to Ask to Become a Smarter Energy Consumer series – 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?” and “What can I do to lower my energy bill now?”

We encourage you to 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.


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/questions-to-ask-the-energy-bill/feed/ 1 2024 Consumers Energy Case Study https://smartenergycc.org/2024-consumers-energy-case-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2024-consumers-energy-case-study https://smartenergycc.org/2024-consumers-energy-case-study/#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:42:48 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31834 The post 2024 Consumers Energy Case Study appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Case Study

Consumers Energy


Electricity providers in the U.S. and Canada are making strides in educating and engaging consumers on better controlling how much energy they use, the resulting costs they incur and the benefits of shifting their usage.

These case studies collected by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative spotlight how smart energy technologies and programs have engaged consumers to empower them to match the energy they use with their needs.


Consumers Energy is one of Michigan’s largest energy providers, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, Consumers Energy has 8,879 full-time and seasonal employees and 5,736 megawatts of generating capacity.

The Healthier Homes program, led by Consumers Energy and CLEAResult, 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.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/2024-consumers-energy-case-study/feed/ 1 2024 Best Practices Awards https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-awards-results/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2024-best-practices-awards-results https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-awards-results/#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:00:14 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31763 The post 2024 Best Practices Awards appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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2024 Best Practices Awards


The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative’s Best Practices Awards, now in their seventh year, recognize leadership from electricity providers (including investor-owned utilities, public power utilities and retail energy providers) in the transition toward a smarter, more consumer-focused energy ecosystem.

As providers continue to make investments in modernizing the grid and developing new programs, the Best Practices Awards aim to ensure that consumers and small businesses benefit from these innovations. By focusing on successful programs and applicable insights, it is our hope that these awards are a blueprint for continued change within the industry.

The six recipients of

the seventh annual Best Practices Awards are:

Smart Energy Innovation Award

Hydro One


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.


Finalist: Liberty Utilities’ Digital Customer Experience (EX) Platform

Culture Transformation Award

Avangrid


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.


Finalists: NB Power’s Customer Experience Management Plan, Duke Energy’s Customer Connect Program

Consumer Engagement Award

PSEG Long Island


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.


Finalists: Avista’s Personalized home energy usage insights, SMUD’s Charge@Home online EV charger rebates

Energy Equity Award

NB Power


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.


Finalists: Arizona Public Service’s Take Charge AZ equitable EV program, Duke Energy Florida’s Neighborhood Energy Saver program

Consumer Education Award

ComEd


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.


Finalists: Central Hudson Gas & Electric’s Clean Energy Marketplace, FreeState Electric Cooperative’s Crew at the Zoo energy education event

SMB Engagement Award

Dominion Energy


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.


Finalist: Alliant Energy’s Personalized energy usage insights and tools

More information on the winners can be found in the seven-page 2024 Best Practices Guide here. In addition, we will be hosting webinars later this year with the winners to learn more about their programs, strategies and technologies.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-awards-results/feed/ 2 2024 Best Practices Guide https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2024-best-practices-guide https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-guide/#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:00:11 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31761 The post 2024 Best Practices Guide appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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2024 Best Practices Guide


SECC’s Best Practices Awards, now in their seventh year, recognize leadership from electricity providers (including IOUs, public power utilities and retail providers) in the transition to a smarter, more consumer-focused energy ecosystem.

The awards highlight successful programs, technologies and strategies in six categories: Smart Energy Innovation, Culture Transformation, Consumer Engagement, SMB Engagement, Consumer Education and Energy Equity.

The six recipients of the 2024 Best Practices Awards – ComEd, Avangrid, Dominion Energy, NB Power, Hydro One and PSEG Long Island – were recognized during SECC’s 2024 Consumer Symposium at DISTRIBUTECH International on February 26.

This seven-page “2024 Best Practices Guide” provides a general overview for each of the six winners and recognizes the runners-up for each category.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/2024-best-practices-guide/feed/ 2 Optimizing Energy Usage with a Smart Thermostat Video https://smartenergycc.org/optimizing-energy-usage-with-a-smart-thermostat-video/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=optimizing-energy-usage-with-a-smart-thermostat-video https://smartenergycc.org/optimizing-energy-usage-with-a-smart-thermostat-video/#comments Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:32:40 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31633 The post Optimizing Energy Usage with a Smart Thermostat Video appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Video

Optimizing Energy Usage with a Smart Thermostat



Smart thermostat ownership continues to grow with each passing year. However, many consumers – even long-time owners of these devices and those that are more tech-savvy – are not always aware of how they can maximize the usefulness of this smart home technology.

In this 60-second educational video, we walk through five different actions that consumers can take with a smart thermostat to become a smarter energy consumer, such as participating in a demand response program and getting useful data on HVAC performance.

Share this video with your customers to help them understand how they can optimize their home's energy usage with a smart thermostat. Then, visit our consumer website for other educational resources on EVs, renewable energy, electric rates, the smart grid and more.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/optimizing-energy-usage-with-a-smart-thermostat-video/feed/ 1 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority Case Study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-tennessee-valley-authority-case-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2023-tennessee-valley-authority-case-study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-tennessee-valley-authority-case-study/#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:40:15 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31511 The post 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority Case Study appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Case Study

Tennessee Valley Authority


Electricity providers in the U.S. and Canada are making strides in educating and engaging consumers on better controlling how much energy they use, the resulting costs they incur and the benefits of shifting their usage.

These case studies collected by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative spotlight how smart energy technologies have engaged consumers to enable them to match the energy they use with their needs.


The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA was established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by developing innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA’s unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship and economic development.

TVA EnergyRight® developed the Small Business Uplift program to bring transformative, valuable energy efficiency solutions to small businesses in underserved communities. This kind of support for mom-and-pop businesses can instill a sense of opportunity among neighbors and empower sustainable growth in communities that need it most.

In three years, the Small Business Uplift program has helped 167 small businesses in 19 different rural communities across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. In the third year, the program saw overall savings of 1,317,272 kWh and net carbon reduction of 724,500 pounds of CO2 across 81 projects.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/2023-tennessee-valley-authority-case-study/feed/ 1 Empowering Consumers Through the Energy Transition White Paper https://smartenergycc.org/empowering-consumers-through-the-energy-transition-white-paper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=empowering-consumers-through-the-energy-transition-white-paper https://smartenergycc.org/empowering-consumers-through-the-energy-transition-white-paper/#comments Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:25:39 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31335 The post Empowering Consumers Through the Energy Transition White Paper appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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White Paper

Empowering Consumers Through the Energy Transition


The “Empowering Consumers Through the Energy Transition” paper highlights successful utility programs, services and strategies for residential and small-and-medium business (SMB) customers centered around the key themes explored in SECC’s “2023 State of the Consumer” report.

The paper shares real-life examples from electricity providers across the United States, such as DTE, Cobb EMC, Salt River Project, Xcel Energy and others, organized by what’s broadly available to consumers today, what’s being tested through pilot programs and what’s being envisioned for the next era of energy.

Highlighted examples include an analytics-driven time-of-use (TOU) rate transition, an electric vehicle (EV) charging rebate program, a fleet electrification program for small business customers, an equity-focused decarbonization strategy, a free LED light bulb promotion for lower-income customers and much more.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/empowering-consumers-through-the-energy-transition-white-paper/feed/ 1 The What, How and Why of Electric Rate Plans https://smartenergycc.org/the-what-how-and-why-of-electric-rate-plans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-what-how-and-why-of-electric-rate-plans https://smartenergycc.org/the-what-how-and-why-of-electric-rate-plans/#comments Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:07:42 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=31153 The post The What, How and Why of Electric Rate Plans appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Infographic + Fact Sheet

The What, How and Why of Electric Rate Plans



SECC's "Electric Bills and Rate Plans: Consumer Awareness and Understanding" report found that many consumers are unaware whether they have a choice in rate plans. Consumers also often struggle with figuring out which electric rate plan could work best for their households' needs and their energy-related goals.

The What, How and Why of Electric Rate Plans series of educational resources is designed to help consumers navigate the ins and outs of different electric rate plans and to empower them to make a more informed decision on their electric rate plan.

The infographic guides consumers through common rate plans, such as time-of-use and peak time rebates, before presenting a decision tree to select an ideal rate plan. And the two-page fact sheet provides definitions of common rate plans and a Q&A that can help consumers understand why they might switch to each of the new plans.

Members also have access to a series of social media graphics to share this content with consumers on Facebook, Twitter/X and other social media channels. For access to the graphics, please contact SECC's Communications Director Jonathan Field.



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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/the-what-how-and-why-of-electric-rate-plans/feed/ 1 2023 Cobb EMC Case Study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-cobb-emc-case-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2023-cobb-emc-case-study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-cobb-emc-case-study/#comments Tue, 11 Jul 2023 14:54:58 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=30989 The post 2023 Cobb EMC Case Study appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Case Study

Cobb EMC


Electricity providers in the U.S. and Canada are making strides in educating and engaging consumers on better controlling how much energy they use, the resulting costs they incur and the benefits of shifting their usage.

These case studies collected by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative spotlight how smart energy technologies have engaged consumers to enable them to match the energy they use with their needs.


Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. As a member-owned cooperative, Cobb EMC safely delivers reliable electricity to more than 200,000 residential and commercial consumers in Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Fulton and Paulding counties. Cobb EMC is consistently recognized for low-cost, reliable power, a commitment to renewable energy and giving back to the communities it serves.

To combat misinformation around rooftop solar in their service territory, Cobb EMC developed a Solar Education Strategy that included a comprehensive social media campaign, a revamp of their solar webpages, educational short-form videos, a membership-wide survey, a postcard mailed to seniors (one of their most vulnerable member demographics), email campaigns and more.

The total number of people reached through the Solar Education Strategy has exceeded 4,000,000 over the course of the campaign. In addition, Cobb EMC has had over 29,000 members “convert” by fulfilling the ultimate call-to-action, visiting their website to learn more and become empowered to make an informed decision about solar energy.

Recommended Resources


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]]> https://smartenergycc.org/2023-cobb-emc-case-study/feed/ 1 2023 EnergyUnited Case Study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-energy-united-case-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2023-energy-united-case-study https://smartenergycc.org/2023-energy-united-case-study/#comments Thu, 23 Mar 2023 19:42:24 +0000 https://smartenergycc.org/?p=30668 The post 2023 EnergyUnited Case Study appeared first on Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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Case Study

EnergyUnited


Electricity providers in the U.S. and Canada are making strides in educating and engaging consumers on how to better control how much energy they use, the resulting costs they incur and the benefits of shifting their usage.

These case studies collected by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative spotlight how smart energy technologies have engaged consumers to enable them to match the energy they use with their needs and lifestyles.


EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina, serving more than 135,000 metering points. Headquartered in Statesville, EnergyUnited provides electric service in portions of 19 counties in west central North Carolina. Now the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina, EnergyUnited has roots that date back to the late 1930s by way of two smaller community-based providers: Crescent EMC and Davidson EMC.

In July 2020, EnergyUnited partnered with Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based distributed energy software company, to create a new demand response program for its members, Peak Time Perks. The program engages cooperative members in reducing energy consumption during peak periods, saving the entire cooperative money in the process.

After less than a year of customer recruitment, EnergyUnited was able to enroll over 1,000 smart thermostats into the Peak Time Perks program. In the summer of 2021, the cooperative initiated six demand response events during predicted peak days and hit nine of the 10 major peak hours.

Recommended Resources


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