The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) announced the winners of the 2022 SEPA Utility Transformation Awards, which recognize the specific projects, programs, partners, and individuals driving the utility industry’s transformation to a modern, carbon-free energy future. Duke Energy won the Utility Transformation Program of the Year for their Energy Service Subscription pilot, powered by Uplight. 

In the pilot, customers pay the same amount each month for energy, with their monthly payment based on their past energy usage, historical average weather temperatures, and a small program fee. This improves bill predictability and helps customers avoid bill surprises, which is more important than ever with increasing inflation and energy costs. 

The program also provided an incentive for customers who signed up for Duke Energy’s demand response program–enabling the utility to make slight temperature adjustments during periods of peak energy demand to increase load flexibility and prevent stress on the grid. 

These programs help Duke Energy meet their aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Our customers seek more certainty around their energy bills, and we believe it’s important to be innovative in meeting our customers’ needs. Being able to offer subscription energy bundles through a tailored customer experience is paramount, and it further helps us meet critical goals around clean energy and reduced peak demand,” said Lon Huber, Duke Energy Vice President, Rate Design and Strategic Solutions.

Congratulations to the other 2022 winners: Southern California Edison (SCE), Nadia El Mallakh of Xcel Energy, WeaveGrid, and Los Angeles Department Of Water And Power (LADWP).