Customer energy solutions teams are still part of customer service organizations at most utilities

June 1, 2023 | Rachel Reiss Buckley, Liza Minor | 5 min read
We’ve been tracking utility org structures for years, and it’s a trending topic among utilities. Our research shows some new developments in how utilities are organizing their customer energy solutions teams. Check out this post—our findings might surprise you.

TE Insights: A new data tool to help solution providers grow their utility transportation electrification business

May 30, 2023 | Michael Hartnack, Brenna Raeder | 6 min read
To help solution providers find and capture new business and understand utility transportation electrification (TE) programs, spending, and rates, we created E Source TE Insights, a tool that organizes data from utility TE plans, EV-specific rates, and customer rebates into an easy-to-use platform.

The Great Convergence of data science and the utility industry is near

May 25, 2023 | Tom Martin | 5 min read
How long will it take before the incremental gains utilities are making today using data science snowball into something radically better—something that not only moves the needle but changes the game altogether? Sooner than you might think.

4 essential tips for winning a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant

May 23, 2023 | Kierra Thomas | 5 min read
Each year, the US Bureau of Reclamation awards WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to utilities and other organizations to fund projects that promote sustainability and conservation. If you plan to apply for a grant this year, here are some tips for a strong and thorough application.

Virtual power plants: How the E Source DER Insights Center gives utilities valuable insights into affordable solutions

May 17, 2023 | Barend Dronkers, Rachel Cooper | 5 min read
Virtual power plants (VPPs) are making a comeback, but utilities often need complex software to coordinate and deploy these technologies. In this blog post, we explore how the E Source DER Insights Center can help utilities build VPPs and design effective distributed energy resource (DER) programs.

Chicken soup for the grid: Distilling complex utility concepts into relatable stories

May 10, 2023 | Lisa Markus | 10 min read
As the iconic series Chicken Soup for the Soul provided emotional nourishment and encouragement to navigate life’s tough spots. Perhaps we need chicken soup for the grid to bridge the gap between stakeholders and the utility through simple storytelling. Grab your apron and let’s begin!

New paradigm ahead: 5 tips for rising to the transportation electrification challenge

May 4, 2023 | Bryan Jungers | 9 min read
What if you could build a new grid and utility from the ground up? Would it look anything like what we currently have? As we plan for the future, we need to prepare for one that looks very different from the present. What does that mean for EV programs? Let’s explore.

Data science and utilities: It takes two to make data-driven decisions

May 2, 2023 | Tom Martin | 5 min read
The advantages of partnering with an expert data science resource to get the most from your data investments are many. In this blog post, we explore the benefits of a partnership because it truly takes two to make data-driven decisions.

6 truths about software and software implementation

April 27, 2023 | Edwin Crow | 7 min read
Fun fact: A software implementation that benefits a utility almost always benefits that utility’s customers. In this post, we share six truths about software and software implementation to help you purchase the right software and implement it correctly so you can reap the benefits.

Beyond empathy: When ethnographic research gets personal

April 25, 2023 | Jeffrey Daigle | 10 min read
I didn’t know it when I was a kid, but I grew up in a low-income household. And that lived experience has enabled me to see the value of ethnography for utilities and their vulnerable customers. In this post, I explain how E Source and the Edison Electric Institute partnered on an important project.