#United States #El Paso #Oracle #El Paso Electric #UtilityAPI

El Paso Electric Implements Oracle Solutions for Customer Data Access

El Paso Electric (EPE) has recently adopted an integrated data access solution in collaboration with Oracle and UtilityAPI. This advancement aims to facilitate the secure and efficient sharing of customer energy usage data, aligning with the industry standards set by the Green Button Download My Data (DMD) and Connect My Data (CMD) certifications. By adopting this technology, EPE empowers its residential customers by allowing them to opt in for a seamless transfer of their utility data to trusted third-party vendors.

The Benefits of Secure Data Sharing

With energy costs on the rise, customers can significantly benefit from a more straightforward approach to data sharing. By voluntarily sharing their utility data, customers gain access to advanced tools and insights that can lead to greater energy efficiency and potential cost savings on their bills. This initiative particularly targets residential users but also offers a streamlined process for large commercial accounts, allowing them to manage data across multiple utility accounts and meters easily.

The collaboration between EPE and Oracle aims to ease the complexities many utilities face regarding compliance and data management, especially as state mandates for data sharing increase. EPE has recognized that solutions provided by Oracle’s Energy and Water platform, alongside the capabilities offered by UtilityAPI, not only meet necessary regulatory requirements but do so efficiently and cost-effectively.

A Closer Look at the Technology

EPE operates in a geographically expansive area, providing services to approximately 460,000 customers across a vast region in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The partnership with Oracle extends EPE's capability to provide compelling web tools and customer notifications enabled through the Opower Customer Engagement platform, which integrates advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) data.

Instead of needing to set up individual integrations with every vendor, EPE can utilize Oracle's existing framework to securely transmit necessary data via API. UtilityAPI plays an essential role by managing the authorization process for third parties, ensuring that customers' data is accessed responsibly and transparently.

This system has proven beneficial; for instance, customers seeking quotes from solar panel contractors can now provide precise energy usage data without manual exchanges, enhancing accuracy and overall customer satisfaction. The reduction in potential complaints regarding energy bills associated with new vendors exemplifies the value of such streamlined processes.

Building Stronger Relationships

Grisel Ramirez, supervisor of advanced metering at EPE, acknowledges the profound impact of this collaboration, stating, "Our ongoing partnership with Oracle has enabled us to make our customer data work harder for us, enhancing essential services while uncovering new opportunities for improvement."

Matt O’Keefe from Oracle Energy and Water affirms that increasing the data flow between utilities and third-party vendors is becoming crucial in the transition towards cleaner energy. Oracle's platform facilitates this need by reducing complexity associated with managing data insights and streamlining authentication processes.

UtilityAPI's CEO, Devin Hampton, emphasizes that secure access to data is vital for promoting a reliable and sustainable energy landscape, especially in the regions served by EPE. This integration allows for efficient Green Button compliance while offering vetted vendors access to necessary customer data through straightforward dashboards or APIs.

Conclusion

Through their collaborative efforts, El Paso Electric is not just planning for compliance but actively investing in a future where utility data plays a pivotal role in enhancing the customer experience. As they work to further lower barriers to data access, they position themselves as a forward-thinking utility provider committed to improving service delivery and empowering customers to make informed energy choices. The potential transformation in how customers interact with their energy providers reflects a growing trend towards transparency and efficiency in the utility sector.