Utilities are re-inventing themselves, and it's making energy efficiency programs better than ever
WRITTEN BY Jesse Hitchcock & Angelica Pereira∙ TORONTO, ONTARIO
The digital revolution is changing the world as we know it. 20 years ago customers were filling out paper surveys and forms to apply for their most basic requirements. Today, you can open an account on a website or app to purchase food that gets delivered to your doorstep. This evolution (or reinvention of sorts) is bringing about a change in how we lead our lives but also helping customers understand what they need and, most importantly, how to get it.
Digitization is transforming industries and automation is playing a major role in this transformation. It is allowing customers to reap the benefits of this change, and their mindsets and openness to technology are evolving along the way. Within the energy efficiency space, digitization is taking legacy programs and optimizing their output while making better use of resources. The process of digitization aligns teams and increases the efficiency of processes.
Digitization prevents hiccups in data collection, identifies and generates leads for potential and current energy efficiency weatherization and retrofit programs and optimizes the time and effort spent managing programs. Retrofit AI gives utilities instant insight into the buildings in their service area, and allows for a timely and cost effective means of communicating with the people who live in them. Most importantly, the audit-grade insight generated by RetrofitAI allows the utility to talk to a customer about programs that are relevant to their specific circumstance. Instead of talking generally to everyone, utilities can now talk specifically to the customers who need it most.
The best feature of digitization is improved decision making. By selecting the exact buildings that will benefit from weatherization and retrofit programs, Retrofit AI is reducing a program's free ridership -- a process previously managed by in-house teams. Data analytics also provide the customer with a retrofit roadmap to optimize their home over time, and give the utility the power to design and target programs that optimize savings potential and cost effectiveness.
For years, technology enthusiasts have said that the digital revolution was coming for the utility world. It is safe to say it has arrived and disruptive innovation has already begun. As products and programs digitize, the biggest benefit to a utility and its customers is accessibility. If standard mail was not digitized to emails, can you imagine the burden a country's postal system would face?
Customers are looking for a utility that communicates well and delivers consistent, reliable services that produces value for their money. By integrating a technology like Retrofit AI into the operation of energy efficiency programs, utilities can boost cost-effectiveness while providing the consistency and reliability that customers are looking for. The technology integrates seamlessly with legacy systems, helping the utility get started on this transition as quickly and easily as possible.
While AI will support and streamline complex tasks, the ultimate power to manage energy efficiency programs lies in the hands of the Program Manager and utility leadership. Embracing digitization must be of paramount importance to these leaders, particularly as energy efficiency becomes a key pillar of climate policies around the world.
