Time-of-use prices: Arizona consumers vote with their wallets

Lower-cost off-peak energy prices can save money — but do consumers care enough to alter their energy consumption habits in response to price signals? Apparently so, according to a new case study from the Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid.

This case study focused on time-of-use prices offered by Salt River Project in Arizona. Over a quarter of residential customers (nearly 300,000 households) chose to participate in SRP’s TOU programs. SRP also offers prepaid service, with over 100,000 participants.

Here are the big lessons SRP learned from over three decades of experience with offering residential TOU and prepayment service…

Full post: Arizona consumers vote with their wallets on time-of-use prices

More utility sites get the Green Button

This week in Texas Oncor announced that its customers now can use the Green Button on its website — joining many other utilities…

Full post: Green Button spreads to more utility websites

EU: New energy efficiency, smart meter requirements coming

By September the European Union may have a new energy efficiency strategy in place. On June 14 negotiators struck a provisional deal on the proposed new EU energy efficiency directive (the “Third Energy Efficiency Directive”). Final approval is likely.

Full post: EU gets closer to new energy efficiency, smart meter requirements

New SDG&E peak time rebates: Summer’s best kept secret to save electricity

San Diego Gas & Electric’s new ReduceYourUse program is a no-risk, no-lose proposition for residential and small business customers.

So far few SDG&E customers seem aware of it — but hopefully word will spread quickly…

Full post: SDG&E peak time rebates: Summer’s best kept secret to save electricity