A Bright Future Ahead for Smart Meter-Enabled Prepaid Programs

www.esource.com January 17, 2013

A Bright Future Ahead for Smart Meter-Enabled Prepaid Programs?

Sarah Fiebiger

Senior Analyst, Market Research Services

@ESourceSarah

January 17, 2013

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A Bright Future Ahead for Smart Meter-Enabled Prepaid Programs?

8OUTLOOK

GOOD

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Hardware-Based Prepaid Metering

Source: SRP

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Software-Based Prepaid Metering

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Expected Smart Meter Deployments by State by 2015

Source: The Institute for Electric Efficiency, “Utility-Scale Smart Meter Deployments, Plans, & Proposals”, May 2012,

url: http://www.edisonfoundation.net/iee/Documents/IEE_SmartMeterRollouts_0512.pdf

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Source: “Prepaid Metering Analytical Report” prepared by Mark Day, Utility Integration Solutions for Cooperative Research Network / National Rural Electric Cooperative, June 2012

Smart Meter Enabled Prepay Programs

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Prepaid Programs in the U.S.

Source: “Rethinking Prepaid Utility Service: Customers at Risk”, John Howat and Jillian McLaughlin, National Consumer Law Center, June 2012, http://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/energy_utility_telecom/consumer_protection_and_regulatory_issues/report_prepaid_utility.pdf

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Utility Benefits

Saves Money Increased Safety

Conservation Effect High Satisfaction

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Customer Benefits

Control Over Costs/Usage Easier to Get Electricity

No Deposit, No Late/Reconnect Fees

High Satisfaction

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Smart Meter-Enabled Prepaid Program

Design At 4 Utilities

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Disconnect Consumer Protections

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Eligibility

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Available Payment Methods

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Balance and Usage Monitoring Options

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Do Your Best to Address Concerns About Consumer Protections

Image courtesy of mikumistock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Rates Disconnection

Moratoriums

Option to revert

Assistance

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A Bright Future Ahead for Smart Meter-Enabled

Prepaid Programs

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Questions?

16

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Sarah Fiebiger

Senior Analyst, Market Research Services

303-345-9126 sarah_fiebiger@esource.com

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