Insights from our Editorial Team
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Feb 19, 2013 |
Utilities are just beginning to utilize customer segmentation—separating customers into categories of smaller groups where differences in wants, needs and economic value are examined in detail. But, the true value of customer segmentation may lie in what the utility learns about itself.
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Feb 18, 2013 |
When new regulations come into play, such as NERC’s Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) requirements a few years ago, it’s fairly normal for everyone involved to, basically, freak out a little. The power industry definitely did. But, the regulators would argue that it’s all for a good cause. (Thought leadership sponsored by Intel.)
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Feb 17, 2013 |
In March, the Utility Analytics Institute will host the Utility Analytics Summit in Napa, California. As we begin the countdown to that event, we’ll chat with some of the experts set to attend that Summit, picking their brains for details on how analytics will change the very essence of the power industry. Today, we talk to Raiford Smith, director of smart grid emerging technology at Duke Energy, about his vision of the analytics road ahead.
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Feb 14, 2013 |
With 4.4 million customers, Atlanta-based Southern Company provides electricity to much of the American Southeast. Today, we talk with Southern Company Senior Vice President and CIO Kenneth Coleman about the utility’s IT programs, plans and projections.
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Feb 13, 2013 |
In March, the Utility Analytics Institute will host the Utility Analytics Summit in Napa, California. As we countdown to that event, we'll chat with some of the experts set to attend, picking their brains for details on how analytics will change the very essence of the power industry. Today, we talk to Jeff Nichols, director of information security and information management at SDG&E about the analytics road ahead.
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Feb 12, 2013 |
Utilities continue to focus more on the customer these days: What do they want? What do they need? What can be done to establish lines of communication? But, utilities still tend to lump all of their customers together into a single entity, as if they all want and need the same things. Borrowed from years of use in more customer-interactive retail spaces, customer segmentation offers details that the more traditional “one big lump” view of customers cannot.
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Feb 11, 2013 |
Principles and best practices from "Moneyball," as well as other books such as "Competing on Analytics," are well suited for decision makers in unregulated utilities. SDG&E's Lee Krevat, along with Tim Fairchild from SAS, reveal the lessons available to electricity insiders.
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Feb 10, 2013 |
We asked Rebecca Herold for her advice in a couple of privacy arenas, namely what utilities should be planning for in the area of privacy for 2013 and for the long-term. Herold helms the privacy subcommittee within the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel’s cybersecurity working group.
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Feb 07, 2013 |
Before I go to any show, from small association event to large vendor-based exhibit floor, I think about how many I’ve been to. Can I guess the number? Can I guess how long I’ve spent at shows over my career? I recently added to that lifetime total with yet another show. Despite the repetitive nature of these things, however, I always learn at least a few interesting tidbits that are new and shiny and start the gears spinning in my head just a tad faster.
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Feb 06, 2013 |
Perhaps participation in pricing programs isn’t the key to push efficiency. Perhaps the key is creating seamless, unseen adjustments to efficiency that benefit consumers without requiring them to look up from reading, be distracted from work or to quit their angry diatribes on today’s pop music.
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