Duke Energy Teams With Cisco …Again

Saturday, 03 July 2010 10:23

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Just three weeks after partnering with Cisco Systems to fast-track development of a state-of-the-art electric smart grid, Duke Energy has signed a new agreement with Cisco to pilot and further develop a smart grid-enabled home energy management solution. The goal is to provide Duke Energy customers with secure and reliable energy information and a simple-to-use tool to help them reduce the amount of energy wasted in their homes.

Duke Energy is testing the first-generation Cisco Home Energy Management Solution this summer with customers in Charlotte, N.C., and in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the company has already installed digital smart grid technologies. Duke says it will rely heavily on consumer feedback.

Gianna Manes, Duke Energy senior vice president and chief customer officer, calls home energy management functionality  an important step “in providing customers with an enhanced energy experience that is simply not achievable with today’s analog grid. Customers want to save money on their energy bills, but it has to be easy. With Cisco’s proven expertise in Internet Protocol-based, open system networks, we’re confident our collaboration with them will result in a solution that provides customers back-of-mind simplicity and real back pocket rewards.”

Cisco general manager, Paul Fulton, describes the company’s Home Energy Management as being like a “virtual energy assistant for consumers and one we look forward to enhancing with Duke and an ecosystem of partners. Together, we can help consumers undergo the transition to new pricing options and enjoy the benefits of better insight into, and control over, their energy consumption.”

In addition to home energy management, Duke Energy and Cisco plans to establish an ecosystem of products that connect with the Cisco Home Energy Management Solution, including appliances, electrical outlets, air conditioners, water heaters and plug-in electric vehicles.  With an adaptable network, appliances, electronics and other home devices – regardless of brand or model – will work in concert to improve consumer experience and control.