Commentary
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Mar 03, 2003 |
We in the energy sector have the distinction of being an industry that is closely tied to the well being of society. The sector fuels growth and higher standards of living but also can share the brunt of time periods in which there is overcapacity of supply. One of the endearing and absorbing features of the energy sector is its embracing and reliance upon technology as one of the keys to competitiveness, growth, and continual improvement. -
Feb 28, 2003 |
Deregulation has created new opportunities for both utilities and their customers. While the layman’s view of deregulation is that customers will have more options for buying utility services, the utilities must seize the opportunities to differentiate themselves from their competition in order to maintain and grow their customer base. -
Feb 28, 2003 |
Utilities that make online account management easy for customers can activate a growing mass market of consumers who are now ready to commit to paying their bills online. -
Feb 25, 2003 |
With rising energy costs, you'd like to bring your facility to peak energy efficiency, and keep it that way - economically. But most facilities are not "commissioned" for best efficiency before going into service. Once in service, efficiency usually goes downhill. And you won't learn whether day-to-day operation and maintenance is at peak efficiency from utility bills. What's a manager to do? -
Feb 24, 2003 |
The uncertain environment of the electric and/or gas utility industry is causing companies to pull back and examine their information assets. Determining how much risk is associated with making business decisions based on the information they have is in the forefront today more then ever before. One very important information asset all utilities possess is related to its customers. -
Feb 21, 2003 |
Let’s be honest, metering isn’t glamorous or particularly exciting. The metering function is a key strategic infrastructure operation and the primary hardware interface between energy supplier and customer and yet it is an often-neglected component of the business. -
Feb 18, 2003 |
Technology and communication constraints forced early direct load management systems to be very limited in their number of program options. As a result, mass market direct control programs are not generally considered “price responsive”. -
Feb 17, 2003 |Fluid and volatile wholesale energy prices keep utility executives under constant pressure to find new efficiencies and cost savings. At the same time, healthy customer relations are an essential element of marketing.
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Feb 14, 2003 |
If you interviewed 100 people on the street, how many would tell you they think customer service is alive and well at the companies they patronize? Having asked such a question of thousands of people over the years, I’m sorry to say most people do not find that to be the case. -
Feb 14, 2003 |
Managing energy information is coming of age. Rather than having its I.D. checked at the door, it’s being welcomed as a full-fledged contributor to helping operate facilities more efficiently and reducing the percentage of energy as a component of a building’s overall cost per square foot.
