Go-Green Inc., a Preferred Energy Services Inc. unit, has become a member of UtilityGuide.com, an online market where California consumers can comparison shop for electricity services. PES sells 100% certified renewable power to residential consumers in the California retail energy market. The company has been selling renewable power from sources such as wind, biomass, and geothermal under the name "cleen 'n green energy" since deregulation in California began 2 years ago. More than 200,000 residential customers have switched electricity suppliers in the state, and 85% have purchased "green" power generated in part from renewable energy sources. Recently, the US Post Office selected Go-Green to deliver electricity to 1,100 participating California post offices.
Australian electricity network and service provider Powercor Australia Ltd. has selected United Customer Management Solutions Inc., Redwood Shores, Calif., as its supplier of electronic customer-relationship management solutions, UCMS reported. Under the terms of the 2-year contract, UCMS will also provide sales and marketing support services on behalf of Powercor, Victoria's largest electricity distribution company, serving more than 560,000 customers. Including the Powercor deal, the Australian subsidiary of UCMS will generate a profit before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization of $17.1 million this year, UCMS said.
Carolina Power & Light Corp., Raleigh, NC, has awarded GDI Global Data Inc., Toronto, a contract for 1,500 CS-832 wireless meter readers, GDI reported. GDI CEO Lawrence E. Davis said CP&L is one of 120 North American utility companies currently using the company's automatic meter reading system. CP&L provides electricity and energy services to 1.2 million customers in North and South Carolina and natural gas distribution and service, through a wholly owned subsidiary, to about 178,000 customers.
Birka Energi AB, jointly owned by Stadshus AB and Fortum Power & Heat AB, has launched an internet-based district metering system for its Stockholm customers. The 75-million kroner project, begun in 1999, was carried out in cooperation with Schlumberger Resource Management Services Inc., a Schlumberger Ltd. business unit. Electric meter readings are taken every 15 min, and the values obtained are sent at night, via radio, from the electricity station to Birka Energi's central computers. Customers will be able to access up-to-the-minute data regarding consumption via the internet, said Hakan Askelof, Birka Energi's project manager. Customers can obtain 8,760 readings/year instead of 10 readings/year with the old manual system, he said. He said the new system will permit greater price flexibility, including incentives for using energy more efficiently such as permitting supply to be interrupted at predetermined times.
Aquila Energy Corp., a subsidiary of UtiliCorp United Inc., KansasCity, Mo., has formed a new senior management group to coordinate the broad range of energy and related services needed by utilities and industrials. It will be managed by Senior Vice-Pres. Steve Cochennet, formerly president of UtiliCorp Energy Management. Named as executive vice-presidents are John M. Best, Stephen R. Bramlett, and Kim Johnson, all long-term energy executives from other companies, and two current Aquila executives, John Murphy and Steve Magness. Aquila Energy in 1999 was the third largest wholesaler of natural gas and second largest wholesaler of power in North America