Software Provides Management of Energy Demand

Oct. 27, 2010
Silver Spring Networks has announced the availability of two new software applications that provide better management of energy demand to improve the value of smart grid investments.

Silver Spring Networks has announced the availability of two new software applications that provide management of energy demand to improve the value of smart grid investments. The software offerings, UtilityIQ Demand Response Manager 1.0 and CustomerIQ Web Portal 1.5, work in conjunction with Silver Spring’s IP v6-based Smart Energy Platform to enable utilities to interactively engage customers and manage demand.

This integrated approach to demand-side management, in which demand response software communicates with in-home devices over the two-way smart grid network, in real time, enables utilities and their customers to realize easier deployment of tailored demand response programs and more meaningful information about energy consumption and costs.

UtilityIQ Demand Response Manager 1.0 allows utilities to reduce energy procurement costs and potentially defer construction of new generation capacity by providing improved load shed predictability and real-time load management. The software breaks new ground by leveraging Silver Spring’s two-way networking platform with in-home devices to provide real-time data on device status and load-shed potential and real time measurable results. Silver Spring offers this software together with certified in-home devices, project management, program planning and recruitment and installation services for a complete, end-to-end demand response solution for utility clients.

CustomerIQ Web Portal 1.5 enables utilities to directly engage customers to reduce support costs and deliver energy efficiency improvements in meeting overall demand reduction goals. The completely redesigned user interface of CustomerIQ 1.5 transforms the customer’s experience by delivering tangible and substantial value from their smart meters through deep insights into their energy usage and costs. Additionally, normative comparisons to like homes in their neighborhood and compatibility with mobile devices like smart phones and tablets engage customers and provide improved ease of use.

UtilityIQ Demand Response Manager and CustomerIQ have been designed to work directly with Silver Spring’s Advanced Metering infrastructure and software that strengthens the capabilities of each solution. For example, when a utility issues a price alert, it is automatically reflected in Demand Response Manager, CustomerIQ, and devices in the home and leverages interval readings in Advanced Metering Manager to display appropriate billing information to customers. The tight integration among these applications makes demand response and energy efficiency programs easier and more cost-effective for utilities to deploy and provides customers with deeper insights into their energy usage and costs.

Features include:

  • The new UtilityIQ Demand Response Manager software provides DR program definition, rate plan management for price response, load control, device provisioning, and DR event definition and reporting.
  • The updated CustomerIQ energy web portal features an improved look and feel, simplified navigation controls, expanded normative comparisons, improved bill analysis and rate plan visualization, and support for mobile platforms. Utility enhancements include role-based functionality, such as views for a utility analyst vs. a customer service representative, and improved reporting and analytics.
  • Device testing and installation and customer service tools include HAN device interoperability testing, installer website for installers to verify connectivity with the utility’s back office, and a Program Enrollment Web Site for customers to sign up for the DR program of their choosing.
  • The customer outreach toolkit for utilities contains customizable sample collateral, early awareness and outreach campaigns, door hangers and pamphlets delivered at installation that convey customer benefits, as well as immediate energy information for customers via the CustomerIQ portal and usage reports.

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