How do you measure energy savings during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?

August 6, 2020 | Liza Minor | 4 min read
Energy use has changed dramatically since the onset of COVID-19, and forecasts show an overall decrease in electricity and natural gas consumption in 2020. Utility evaluators must evolve their approach to account for energy usage and savings in 2020 and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic could make utility voice apps more valuable than ever

July 30, 2020 | Essie Snell | 3 min read
Given the rapid adoption of smart speakers and voice assistants, customers’ willingness to engage with them, and the need for additional customer support during COVID-19, we expect these platforms to be an increasingly important channel for utilities.

Why do people have electric vehicle range anxiety?

July 15, 2020 | Bill LeBlanc | 4 min read
Why do consumers have range anxiety? Our research has revealed some striking problems with consumers’ beliefs about electric vehicles and how they get “fueled up.” To combat this phenomenon, utility communicators and marketers should focus their messaging on the comfort and ease of charging at home.

Utilities support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and so does E Source

June 12, 2020 | Jessica Bailis, Eryc Eyl | 4 min read
Since May 30, we’ve seen 21 utilities across the US and Canada issue public statements of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Like our utility customers, E Source supports Black Lives Matter and the broader movement for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

How small business DSM programs are responding to COVID-19

June 9, 2020 | Amy Schmidt | 3 min read
In mid-May, we held a call to explore how utilities are adjusting their demand-side management programs to support small and midsize businesses during this public health and economic crisis. Exchange participants expressed mixed feelings about meeting their 2020 goals. Here we share our takeaways.

Utilities expect fewer savings during COVID-19 but have the same goals

June 2, 2020 | Gabe Cuadra | 3 min read
Are you worried about how COVID-19 is affecting energy savings? Have you wondered how energy-savings goals are changing? You're not alone. In this blog we explain what demand-side management executives think about how COVID-19 is changing energy savings and goals.

Advancing the evolution of incentive design

May 26, 2020 | Cindy Schweitzer | 2 min read
Program administrators are under constant pressure to improve the cost-effectiveness of programs and achieve greater savings with smaller budgets. To help administrators meet their goals, E Source and ICF International are partnering on a new exploration of incentive design strategies.

How to make your online payment feature more customer-friendly

May 20, 2020 | Keenan Samuelson | 5 min read
Because of the pandemic, some of your customers who have been paying their bills via checks or walk-in centers are likely moving to digital bill payment for the first time. Your Make a Payment feature needs to be easy to locate and easy to use so as to not deter these customers.

Need to identify EV buyers? Try a personality test

May 13, 2020 | Bill LeBlanc | 8 min read
Why would someone buy an electric vehicle instead of the internal combustion engine vehicle they've been accustomed to their entire life? To find the answer, it’s important to look closely at the differences—or lack thereof—between the two car options and the mindsets of potential buyers.

Innovation and emerging tech: Let the best idea win

May 6, 2020 | Bryan Jungers | 14 min read
Just because something’s new doesn’t make it good. When it comes to choosing technologies for your utility programs, now is the perfect time to slow down and plan for the future you want, rather than simply accepting whatever new technologies come your way.