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The promise of a smarter grid is no doubt a primary focus within the utility industry. On the flip side, for most customers, the technology is far from a "buzz" and is in fact little more than a murmur. For those that have heard the term, it's at most an obscure idea - and one they don't know much about. The challenge is that without consumer buy-in, the full potential of the smart grid can never be realized. And that means utilities must work to communicate what this new technology is, and its benefits and value across each market segment.
A number of communication challenges exist including:
- Identifying how the smart grid will empower the customer - How will it give more choice, more control and the opportunity to reduce energy bills?
- Demonstrating this technology will not negatively impact individual customer segments (commercial/industrial, low-income, middle class)
- Identifying real and measureable benefits
- Demonstrating lasting value
Customer adoption can only be achieved if consumers understand what the technology is, why they need it, and its long-term importance to them.
As those within the industry realize, the smart grid issue is complex; its challenges multi-layered. For this reason, EUCI has created a unique two-conference event with focuses on both implementation and gaining customer acceptance. Who Should Attend - Business Planning
- Corporate Communications
- Marketing
- Information Systems
- Business Applications
- Information Technology
- Public Relations
- Smart Grid Directors and Project Managers
- Smart Metering and AMI Project Directors
- Energy Service Providers
- Energy Conservation Directors
- Product Development
- Sales
- Key Accounts
- Web Services
- e-Business Strategy
- Billing
- Contact Center Management
Learning Outcomes - Evaluate how Xcel Energy's SmartGridCity project is using unique implementations of smart grid technology to enable customer engagement through web portals, thermostat and device control programs, and advanced pricing options
- Discuss how customers might expect to benefit from a new grid and therefore why they can be expected to support smart grid technology deployment
- Discuss issues Austin Energy is considering for customer buy-in to include customer segmentation, the market opportunity for self-generation, other distributed energy resources and demand response, and the values inherent in active customer participation in the "Net Energy Markets"
- Demonstrate recent pilot results in how customers reacted and impact on peak loads, energy usage and whether the different technologies had any meaningful statistical impact at Northeast Utilities
- Design an internal change management plan for utility employees – a critical step in overall consumer buy-in
- Identify tactics to avoiding customer confusion
- Design metrics for tracking success
Requirements for Successful Completion of Program Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entire program to be eligible for continuing education credit. Instructional Methods Instructional methods for this conference include case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and networking discussions. Continuing Education Credits: EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer up to 1.0 CEUs for this program.
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