With the introduction of the Green Button by PG&E and SDG&E, I have been thinking about what third-party applications can be built utilizing the Green Button data. One obvious application would use Green Button data to inform a utility customer that she can save money by switching to a different electricity rate offered by her utility. Many utilities offer multiple rates in addition to the default rate, including rates that vary by time-of-use (TOU rates) and by monthly consumption (inclining block rates). It can be difficult for a customer to determine which rate is the best option.
What I did not realize is that some utilities already offer this information to their customers!
What I did not realize is that some utilities already offer this information to their customers!
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| This user could save $35/year by switching to PG&E's E-6 SMART, a time-of-use rate and critical peak pricing rate. |
PG&E for example offers customer the ability to change tariffs by signing into their accounts under the "My Usage" > "My Rates" tab. I am curious to know whether other utilities offer this capability to users.
While a rate compare application may be unnecessary in PG&E's service territory, it could be of great use in Texas. In Texas, retail electricity provision is deregulated meaning that electricity providers compete to sign residential customers to electricity contracts, much like the rest of us purchase a cell phone contract. If Green Button makes its way to Texas, customer will have control of their data and will be better able to compare the prices of different electricity providers.
