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But what kinds of data can actually be translated into tangible actions that utilities can take in order to improve customer engagement and satisfaction? The answer to that question begins by being clear-eyed about how people actually engage with energy. While it\u2019s true customers depend on the grid, the grid is at least one step removed from their actual experience with energy \u2013 a distinction that is very important if the aim is to genuinely understand what customers will value.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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For example, if 10 homeowners on a street start charging their vehicles with fast charger at the same time, it is likely that we will surpass the capacity of the distribution transformer for that street. Every car manufacturer is about to release long range battery cars that even with fast charging would take 8-10 hours to charge overnight. This means that the option of staggering the car charging by a few hours would even not work for the grid as the adoption of EVs take on. The first stage of growth is to identify which homes have EVs and help them move to time of use pricing. An example of this is Uber pricing – when demand is high, uber prices go up and users can decide to pay that price, or take alternate transport or wait for 30 minutes for demand to go down.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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This transformation presents challenges, compounded by increasing demand from customers seeking reliable, always-on essential services that lower their greenhouse gas emissions. Some consumers have taken matters into their own hands, engaging in self-generation and storage. Meanwhile, natural gas networks are grappling with how to decarbonize their networks and what emissions reduction targets mean for their businesses. As we entered the 4th industrial revolution, the age of internet connected devices is exploding exponentially by using low-cost sensors, smart meters, and so on. This ecosystem of internet connected devices is collectively referred to as Internet of Things (IoT) or industrial internet. This system allows the industry to collect, utilize MLs to analyze and act upon real-time data.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n