AEP Ohio is the first utility in the world to deploy the Enervee Checkout application that enables customers shopping on the AEP Ohio Marketplace to take advantage of instant and dynamic discounts for energy-saving products, in partnership with online retailer lightbulbs.com. Customers can now take advantage of instant discounts while shopping online, reducing the upfront cost to purchase the product and speeding up the process of traditional, after-purchase rebates.

PPL Electric Utilities recently launched its PPL Marketplace, where customers can purchase discounted energy-efficient products. The site features ENERGY STAR-certified products including LED lighting, advanced power strips, smart thermostats, weatherization and much more. Using the online marketplace eliminates rebate paperwork and instantly applies incentives into the final purchase price.

The U.S. electricity system is undergoing major changes today, including the expansion of distributed energy resources, the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure and the impact of evolving customer expectations. In response to these and other factors, including the need to reduce peak loads and a desire to align energy consumption with renewable energy production, electricity providers and regulators are increasingly exploring new rate designs and pricing options for residential customers.

Conscientious energy consumption isn't just about turning off the lights, or even replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient LEDs. It's about consumers better understanding their own home's energy use, seeking opportunities to conserve and contributing to more efficient, reliable energy systems. Utilities have an opportunity today to more actively engage with customers.

2018 is over, and a new year of energy evolution is upon us. The past year laid a robust foundation for growth in 2019. It ended with six states and territories, including two of the three largest state economies, committing to 100 percent clean electricity. The solar industry weathered the much-feared tariffs without excessive bleeding. The list of cleantech failures was much shorter than in previous years.

DP&L recently announced it has filed a distribution modernization plan with PUCO that includes installing 100,000 smart meters every year until they're in place for all customers. The AES subsidiary said its proposal aligns with PUCO's PowerForward grid vision issued last summer and will ultimately provide more than $770 million in benefits on a net-present-value basis.