May 20
Itron’s DI Meters Integrate PayGo Solutions
Top consumer smart energy news hand-selected and brought to you by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.
Member News
Using Itron’s DI platform, PayGo has integrated its billing customer experience into Itron’s DI-enabled Riva meters with the aim of providing consumers with a comprehensive, real-time view of energy consumption and the remaining energy credit balance. This integration will be enabled through Itron Smart Pay, the American technology company’s smart payment Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution.
Connecticut-based United Illuminating Company (UI) – a subsidiary of AVANGRID – said on May 12 that it is partnering with Bidgely to help the utility that serves approximately 341,000 customers with managed charging for EVs. The managed charging program, established by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), uses both behavioral and managed charging strategies designed to shift customers’ EV loads to off-peak periods.
Salt River Project is a member of a new coalition formed in Arizona to explore strategies for achieving a carbon dioxide neutral economy in the state, including the creation of a regional clean hydrogen hub. Together, the coalition members aim to develop a statewide strategy for “deep decarbonization - approaching carbon neutrality for the whole economy.” The coalition also aims to find solutions that help address climate change and sustain Arizona’s economy in a carbon-neutral future.
Ameren Corp. released two new reports that provide stakeholders with information on its operations, environmental justice principles, sustainable energy investments, energy assistance and economic development initiatives. The first is the 2022 Sustainability Report. It highlights the company’s investments in energy infrastructure and demonstrates the value delivered to customers. Further, it details Ameren’s integration of clean energy and its plans for continued expansion in Missouri and Illinois.
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Industry News
A large swath of the North American bulk power system faces either a high or elevated potential this summer for insufficient operating reserves under normal operating conditions. Regions include MISO, ERCOT, SPP, all of WECC in the United States and MRO SaskPower in Canada. The summer outlook, presented by NERC on May 18, bathed much of North America either in orange for elevated risk or red for high risk.
Uber plans to encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles by Uber drivers, one of the new initiatives it announced today for travel, autonomous deliveries and events. Riders will be able to request a premium electric vehicle, such as a Tesla or Polestar, in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego through its new Uber Comfort Electric feature. Uber also added an “EV Hub” and EV charging map to its driver app.
The power grid of the future is going to be much more complicated than the power grid of the past, with a lot more rooftop solar systems, backup batteries, EV chargers and smart electric appliances to manage. It’s going to be so complicated, in fact, that it might need computer chips capable of artificial intelligence to be embedded in the smart meters, grid sensors and other devices that utilities will use to keep it all running smoothly.
According to the 2021 Clean Power Annual Market Report from the American Clean Power Association, the United States installed 28.5 GW of renewable energy sources last year, bringing total clean U.S. power capacity over 200 GW – but delays and roadblocks leave a 2035 goal for a net-zero emissions grid in doubt. In all, 594 green energy projects went online in 2021. Clean power could now support more than 56 million homes.
