Investor Owned Utilities
The expectations that our customers have in terms of value, I believe, needs to be fundamentally changed so that we are not just focusing on being a low-cost commodity provider, but rather, a high-value services provider. That means helping our customers use energy more efficiently…
Jeff Sterba, Edison Electric Institute Chairman, May 2008
Regulated Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) in the United States deliver electric service to roughly 3 out of 4 customers. For decades, IOUs operated in a relatively static business environment with long business planning cycles, stable regulatory compacts and predictable rates of return. This environment facilitated growth and cost-effective service of customers from an industry that drives the USA’s world leading economy.
More recently, a confluence of external market forces and challenges has thrust the IOU segment of the utility industry into a period of unprecedented change. Rising fuel and asset development prices, aging infrastructure and an aging workforce have collided head on with the uncertainty posed by the likelihood that CO2 costs will be internalized into industry prices in the future.
To deal with these challenges and increase reliability and service levels for consumers, IOUs are re-examining their relationship and business processes, as well as deploying new software systems that optimize participation in wholesale power markets and improve capital asset management. By integrating and enabling demand response, energy efficiency and smart grid programs with the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure and related technologies, IOUs have the potential to unlock value for themselves while dampening the effects of inevitable cost increases for consumers.
Against this backdrop, IOUs now confront a rapidly changing market environment and a dynamic future, where products, services, and business processes must frequently change.
How UISOL Can Help:
UISOL’s smart integration approach and business process services help IOUs implement systems and transform business processes to capitalize on an increasingly dynamic business environment. Whether we help craft architectural strategy, select systems or implement programs and business process redesign, our goal is the delivery of flexible, adaptable solutions that allow utilities to evolve their businesses to meet the changing needs of their markets. With a team of world class technology authorities and utility business process experts, UISOL also brings a track record of proven performance for investor owned utility customers including Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Kansas City Power & Light and Long Island Power Authority among others.
UISOL IOU Services Include:
- Utility Industry Business Process Management
- Demand Response Programs
- Systems Integration
- Smart Metering/Meter Data Management Systems
- Utility Standards Consulting and Architecture Strategy
- Smart Grid Integration
- ISO Market Participant Consulting
- Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Systems
- Distribution & Outage Management Systems