Utilities talk about generation as a way to supply energy, but the other definition of generation—when we were born and the era we grew up in—greatly influences our views. How do millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers communicate and learn at work, and why do some people become “lifers” at utilities while others see it as a career stepping-stone? Our closing plenary highlighted the remarkable and entertaining insights from Dr. Elisabeth Nesbit Wagner’s research and expertise in generational differences and corporate culture.

Can your behavior program deliver 2% savings? What about 3%, 5%, or even 10%? This interactive, rapid-fire session highlighted the latest glitz and glamour in behavior programs and revealed which new programs have real take-home value. Three of your utility peers who have explored new behavioral strategies—including high-bill alerts, prepaid billing for demand-side management, and optimizing home energy reports with connected digital solutions—talked about their successes and challenges.

For decades, companies have used technology to cut costs, but now they’re also using it to improve experiences. When employees are enabled and empowered with the right tools, they’re more satisfied, more engaged, and more productive. A few utilities—including Duke Energy and NiSource—have figured out how to keep up with changing employee expectations. They’re leveraging technology that improves communication and collaboration, making it easier to recruit, equip, and retain great employees who love their jobs—while getting better business results.

Q:How are utilities using gamification to encourage neighborhoods to save energy?

A:We identified several best practices for engaging communities through game-based programs:

Q:Which utilities have the top-performing gas low-income demand-side management (DSM) programs?

A:To get a sense for which utilities are running effective low-income gas programs, we benchmarked eight gas utilities. For this analysis, we used E Source DSM Insights, our tool containing data on DSM program goals, budgets, spending, and savings from DSM regulatory filings. We learned that:

Q:How do whole-house fans compare to ceiling fans in terms of energy savings, and what are the pros and cons of each?

A:Ceiling fans circulate air around an individual room, whereas whole-house fans (WHFs) vent air from the inside of the house to the outside, providing both air circulation and ventilation throughout the home.