AEE Report Says Residential Demand Response Programs Are Lagging; BDR Can Bridge the Gap

Opower (NYSE: OPWR), the global leader in cloud-based software for the utility industry, announced that its Behavioral Demand Response (BDR) solution was highlighted in a report released today by Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). The report, “Peak Demand Reduction Strategy,” calls on states to support demand response (DR) programs, and points to Opower’s BDR program as a low cost, effective way to scale deployment in the residential sector.

The report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Consulting, points to BDR programs as a tool that can hasten residential DR deployment, which has typically lagged behind the commercial and industrial sectors. The report notes that Opower is a leader in residential BDR deployment, and highlighted Opower client Baltimore Gas & Electric, which is running the largest BDR program in the country and has used it as a tool to boost performance of Peak Time Rebates.

"Behavioral demand response gives utility customers an innovative new way to manage their energy use and save money," said Opower CEO Dan Yates. "This report demonstrates that by adopting a regulatory framework that encourages investment in demand response programs, states can empower their residents to lower their monthly energy bills, help utility companies cut operating costs, and support a cleaner and more resilient energy grid."

AEE says that, if deployed at scale in Illinois, DR has the potential to reduce peak demand by over 30,000 MW, creating over $2.56 billion in customer savings, and in Massachusetts, an expanded program could reduce peak demand by over 11,700 MW, creating $833 million in savings over ten years.

“Demand response reduces peak demand while saving consumers money. As states plan for their energy future, demand response can and should be a go-to option for legislators and regulators,” said J.R. Tolbert, Senior Director of State Policy for Advanced Energy Economy.

The report is available here.

About Opower

Opower (NYSE: OPWR) is an enterprise software company that is transforming the way utilities engage with their customers. Opower’s customer engagement platform enables utilities to reach their customers at moments that matter through proactive and digitized communications that drive energy savings, increase customer engagement and satisfaction, and lower customer operation costs. Opower’s software has been deployed to more than 95 utility partners around the world and reaches more than 57 million households and businesses. For more information, please visit www.opower.com and follow us on Twitter at @Opower.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding benefits from the use of Opower’s solutions. Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Opower represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. While the Company may elect to update these statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

About Advanced Energy Economy

Advanced Energy Economy is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced Energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its State and Regional Partner organizations are active in 26 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Visit AEE online at www.aee.net.

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