Building on the successful completion of the Customer Engagement project, PG&E is extending it for an additional two years. This extension will specifically focus on educating and engaging customers on dynamic rate plans and demand flexibility.
PG&E Energy Expert App/Smart Speaker project was a success!!! Not only it met all its objectives, it also engaged customers with energy saving tips while helping them reduce load during high prices.
And, for your reading pleasure, here is the link to the final results.
In July 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed an Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) aimed at advancing demand flexibility through electric rates. This rulemaking initiative, largely inspired by the results of the successful UD/TeMix RATES project, led Southern California Edison (SCE) to award a contract to Universal Devices (UD) to demonstrate the optimization of off-the-shelf devices using dynamic pricing.
This project leverages a subscription-based model with hourly energy prices, designed to test the ability of smart devices to automatically shift electricity usage to times when energy is both less costly and has lower emissions. By aligning energy usage with optimal times, the program aims to improve the reliability of the power grid and offer cost savings to customers.
California is considering this pilot program as a tool to accelerate the transition to clean, carbon-free energy, enhance the power grid’s reliability, and lower the overall cost of electricity. This effort underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions that benefit both consumers and the environment.
For those unable to attend in person, rest assured—the full presentation speaks volumes and captures invaluable insights!
SCE Smart Meter Project set out to:
Even though the project was halted halfway due to COVID-19, results are quite impressive:
Here’s the link to the published version of the final results.
PG&E plans to default residential customers to Time-of-Use (TOU) rates starting April 2021. The objective of this Demand Response Emerging Technology (DRET) demonstration project is to leverage residential Voice Assistants technology (such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home) to educate residential customers on energy usage and bill forecast, rates and Time-Of-Use automation/optimization, available IoT and connectivity, configuration, and notification on utility information.
Thanks to the participation of over 110 volunteers in our RATES pilot, we learned a lot not only about Transactive Energy but also how to best engage customers using Smart Speakers. We are quite pleased with the outcome and hope you will enjoy reading the results in our official and approved RATES Final Report.
We are very excited to announce the launch of Energy Expert, the Alexa Skill and ecosystem of things that will enable you to better understand and optimize your energy usage and costs. Energy Expert uses OpenADR 2.0 standard to manage and process Time of Use prices. Two of the most electrifying features of Energy Expert are Proactive Notifications and Automatic Optimization. Take a listen to this awesome recording.
Automatic Optimization uses your Energy Savings Preferences (low to high), and energy price for that duration, and temporarily automates your things to optimize your energy usage, savings and comfort. For example, Energy Expert may temporarily adjust your thermostat setting to save energy during peak energy times.
Through Alexa as well as SMS/email, Proactive Notifications provide you with helpful energy information and tips. For example, Energy Expert may notify you of the best time to operate your connected appliance(s) to save energy and money based on your current rate. Or, you may be notified of an activity that goes against your Energy Savings preferences.
Energy Expert is trained to help you achieve your energy savings goals. Energy Expert is not there to take over your life nor is it going to force you into doing something you don’t like. As such, you can opt out at any time using Alexa voice commands, manually adjusting the device being optimized, or through the ISY Portal.
If you are already a participant in Southern California Edison Smart Speaker Project, to get started, please follow the instructions here.
If you are a Southern California Edison or PG&E customer and wish to be considered for participation in this program with your existing equipment, please contact sales@universal-devices.com.
You can now use Raise, Lower, Open, and Close with Alexa.
To enable this feature:
— On ISY Portal, go to Select Tools | Connectivity | Amazon Echo
— Edit one of your “spokens”
— In the Alexa Category, choose one of these new options:
Device with Open/Close syntax
Device with Set/Lower/Raise syntax
— Save your “spoken”
— After changing the Alexa Category, ask “Alexa, discover my devices”
When you use “Device with Open/Close syntax”
In addition to the regular turn on/turn off, you will now be able to say:
When you use “Device with Set/Lower/Raise syntax”
In addition to the regular turn on/turn off, you will now be able to say:
Please note that this Alexa category is available for devices and state variables only. In the case of variables, when setting up your spoken, it is recommended to use a turn off value of 0, and turn on value of 100.
You can now control your locks using Google Home.
To enable this feature:
— On ISY Portal, go to Select Tools | Connectivity | Google Home
— Add a lock to your device list, then save
— Ask “Ok Google, sync my devices”
Things you can ask:
Enjoy and stay safe!
