States Need to Follow California’s Lead in Smart Energy and Water Management

By Montrie Rucker AdamsSeptember 15, 2014 Blog advertising, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, California, energy management, smart thermostats, social media, water, water management

When the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was experiencing a high point, many people were agitated that water was being wasted. Those not living in water challenged states like California may not have understood what all the fuss was about. “It’s just a little bucket of water!”

The state of California launched a statewide education campaign, “Energy Upgrade California”.

Its goal is to allow citizens to manage their energy and water use, while saving money as the state meets its climate goals. To educate Californians, the campaign utilizes social media, advertising, its website and community outreach.

Households and small businesses will learn about the state’s energy and climate policies and find ways to become more efficient in managing energy use. Steps include using smart strips for standby power, replacing lightbulbs, using smart thermostats and monitoring home energy use. Water saving is also a part of the campaign, with education that includes information about low-flow showerheads.

Reducing water use is more important than ever for Californians, with hot weather and this year’s reduced snow pack. California has one of the most energy-efficient economies in the world and it aims to meet their energy and carbon pollution reduction goals in just over five years.

While “a little bucket of water” may not be a lot to some, to those challenged with water and energy consumption, education is key.

Technology Solutions and Services – The Smart Approach to Customer Engagement

By Todd Q. AdamsNovember 13, 2013 Blog consumer engagement, customer engagement, energy management, Great Lakes, intelligent transpotation, smart meter, smart solutions, smart water, sustainability, triple bottom line, Visibility Marketing Inc., water management

Converging social will, environmental stewardship, and financial responsibility – or the Triple Bottom Line – requires that smart water metering technology providers adapt and deliver 21^st Century sustainable solutions.

We have seen successful smart water metering deployments where a vendor deploys a fixed network and ensures that hundreds of thousands of smart water meters communicate according to engineering specifications. The utility then quantifies field labor cost reductions, and identifies various opportunities to realize operational efficiencies. In the case of a progressive utility, additional success metrics relative to leak detection and a reduction in non-revenue water loss is also applied. Thus, tangible short-term and long-term benefits were realized.

While such success factors remain true, the water management landscape is increasingly becoming scrutinized within a broader landscape. This landscape includes municipal government entities leading regional conservation initiatives, and commercial and industrial customers routinely applying environmentally responsible solutions that reduce costs. Residential customers, now more than ever, are able to link modifications in water consumption behavior to reducing their carbon footprint. Solution delivery must now integrate environmental, economic, and social benefits. The end customer and external stakeholders will only become more empowered.

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In This Huge Sustainability World…You Matter

By Montrie Rucker AdamsNovember 28, 2012 Blog, Sustainability carbon footprint, election, government, president obama, smart energy, smart grid, sustainability, water management

Almost every day I am reminded of being a good environmental steward. Public service announcements have President Obama encouraging home energy efficiency from the oval office. News articles tout the value of water conservation. In my local community, I can place my recyclable glass, plastic, and aluminum cans for weekly curbside pickup. Since this is voluntary in my community, it feels good to know that I am doing my part in preserving life on earth.

However, various studies have shown that most utilities have a long way to go on educating consumers about smart energy and water management. Furthermore, I notice that very few of the neighbors in my suburban development recycle. Surely, many of my educated and professional neighbors should understand the value sustaining our planet.

The fact is that this entire “green” movement is still abstract to the average person, and it does not resonate to most of us in a way that is immediately personal. As I engage people on topics of the environment, it has occurred to me that I spend most of the time simplifying the message for people. At that point, I get the “now I get it” response.

It’s not that hard, but it takes some effort. When President Obama ran for office his second term, there were countless commercials touting the effects of voting. “Yes, in the grand scheme of things your vote does count…” is what we heard. And it does. Every little bit counts. The same goes for recycling. Every bottle you recycle, every plastic bag that gets reused, every light that is not turned on…matters. The people need to know, and need to know the way they understand.

Messaging and strategic communication are critical. Government entities, utilities, and major community stakeholders have to simplify the message. We are told to get ready for the Smart Grid or to reduce our carbon footprint. If we are to really prompt public behavior modification, then we have to put an end to the esoteric jargon. This necessitates effective public relations and strategic communication planning. When you can explain to a 93-year-old grandmother exactly how reducing her carbon footprint can require less of her fixed income, now we are onto something. In This Huge Sustainability World…You Matter