Welcome to the E Source blog! Our staff will share insights and observations about life at E Source, our events, our research, and other fun stuff.


Utilities Can Help Customers Self-Serve by Doing a Website Task Analysis

October 1, 2015 | Felicity Tucker
Getting customers to perform a task analysis on your website can help you identify the top reasons your customers visit your site. Armed with this information, you can design a website that meets customers’ needs and improves their experience with your brand.

TCPA Noncompliance? A Utility Nightmare

September 29, 2015 | Jeffrey Daigle
Failing to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) can be a utility's worst nightmare, as the costs of noncompliance are terrifyingly high. Our recent report provides several strategies that can help protect you from a potentially bleak reality.

Insight I Wish I’d Had When I Worked on E-Billing Adoption

September 23, 2015 | Keenan Samuelson
It used to be my job at a nearby utility to increase paperless billing participation. It didn't take long for me to be humbled by the challenge. Now that I'm a researcher and have analyzed the topic more thoroughly, I can offer insightful advice. Read our recent report to learn more.

Why Utilities Will Be Tesla’s Biggest Battery Customers

September 18, 2015 | Jay Stein
Utilities use large-scale batteries for a wide variety of applications, such as regulating frequency and shifting excess supply to times of higher demand. If Tesla can actually deliver batteries at an installed price of $1,000 per kW or less, it has a good chance of competing in this market.

Battery Demand-Charge Management Looks Promising

September 16, 2015 | Jay Stein
To reduce monthly demand charges in commercial and industrial buildings, batteries charge up during times of low demand and discharge during peak times. This application is doing well in California, but as battery prices continue to drop, look for it to expand to additional markets.

Serifs, Swooshes, and CX: How Google’s Rebranding Got Us Talking About the Future

September 15, 2015 | Sarah Howie
Utility nation, you've been through radical reorgs and rebrandings. But what if you could remove the swoosh on your logo and get your customers thinking about something bigger? Like a future powered by a company whose leadership and vision they trust? Let's talk about it.

The Powerwall Will Expand the Market for Residential Backup Power

September 10, 2015 | Jay Stein
Just 2.5 percent of American homes feature backup power systems, but Tesla's new Powerwall battery has enough going for it that it stands a good chance of not only competing in this market but expanding it.

It Doesn’t Look Good for Time-of-Use Arbitrage

September 8, 2015 | Jay Stein
It’s hypothesized that utility customers who participate in time-of-use rate plans will use Tesla batteries to store off-peak power and sell it to the utility during peak periods. But the scheme won’t find a large audience because it produces meager benefits compared to the cost of the batteries.

There’s More to Tesla’s New Batteries Than Solar Storage

September 3, 2015 | Jay Stein
Despite much hype to the contrary, Tesla Motors' new line of stationary batteries will likely not be used by homeowners who combine them with solar panels and escape the grid. Instead, three other applications present the company with far more potential.

We Want You ... to Vote for Your Favorite Utility Ad!

August 18, 2015 | Lindsey Carter
Every year, E Source holds the Utility Ad Awards Contest to find the best in utility advertising. We're almost finished making our decisions, but now we want your input. Vote for your favorite utility print ad on our Facebook page!