Ava Community Energy's SmartHome Charging: Revolutionizing EV Charging with Clean Energy Rewards

Ava Community Energy's Innovative SmartHome Charging Program

Ava Community Energy has officially launched its groundbreaking SmartHome Charging program, aimed at incentivizing electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivers to charge their vehicles with clean energy. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Optiwatt, not only offers rewards and savings but also contributes to a more sustainable energy future.

The program aligns with Ava's commitment to provide 100% clean energy to its customers by 2030. Howard Chang, the CEO of Ava Community Energy, stated, "Ava is on a mission to provide 100% clean energy to our customers by 2030, and our new SmartHome Charging program will allow customers to charge their vehicles on more renewable energy while simultaneously saving money." This forward-thinking project highlights Ava's dedication to environmental sustainability and customer savings.

How Does SmartHome Charging Work?

The Ava SmartHome Charging program leverages Optiwatt's intelligent charging technology, which is designed to reduce the strain on the energy grid caused by home EV and PHEV charging. Participants are invited to connect their vehicles through the Optiwatt app—available for both iOS and Android—at no additional cost. After enrolling, drivers are rewarded with a one-time incentive of $75 and can earn up to $25 annually for continued participation.

Moreover, the SmartHome Charging service is optimized to shift charging times to off-peak periods, which not only lowers energy bills but also aligns with times when cleaner energy sources are more abundant. This innovative approach aims to ease the energy demand during peak hours while enhancing the utilization of renewable energy.

Casey Donahue, the founder of Optiwatt, remarked on the significant impact that this program could have, stating, "Launching a program of this scale has the potential to make a significant impact... This effort will benefit every Ava customer, helping to create a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future."

Joining the SmartHome Charging Program

Enrollment in the SmartHome Charging initiative is open to most EVs and PHEVs. To participate, customers simply need to sign up through the Optiwatt app or website. After a swift verification process, users can begin accumulating rewards while enjoying reduced energy bills.

Ava aims to enroll at least 5,000 vehicles by the end of the year 2025, making this program one of the crucial steps in its overarching Virtual Power Plant (VPP) strategy, supported by Lunar Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). This strategy is vital for advancing cleaner energy solutions across the region and ensuring that Ava's customers benefit from innovative energy programs.

A Commitment to Clean Energy

Ava Community Energy serves over 2 million residents in Alameda County and surrounding cities. As part of California’s community choice aggregation (CCA) initiative, Ava focuses on providing energy options while fostering local and state climate action goals. Their commitment to delivering clean power at competitive rates and developing user-friendly programs underscores their mission of enhancing community life through sustainable energy solutions.

To date, Ava's initiatives have resulted in over $150 million in savings for its customers and contracted more than one gigawatt of renewable energy projects, reinforcing its role as a leader in the clean energy sector.

For further information on how to join the SmartHome Charging program or to learn more about Ava Community Energy, visit AvaEnergy.org.

About Optiwatt

Optiwatt, North America’s largest telematics-based home energy analytics platform, partners with utility providers to offer data-driven insights that help homeowners optimize their energy usage and support renewable energy initiatives.

This launch not only represents a significant step towards a greener future for Ava Community Energy but also sets a new standard for customer engagement in sustainable energy practices.