ecobee Launches Product Update to Protect the Energy Grid from Outages

Rhea-AI Summary

Smart home leader ecobee has launched an updated grid resiliency program to prevent power outages caused by extreme weather. The new feature, available to customers in select utility territories across the US and Canada, sends alerts to ecobee Smart Thermostats and mobile apps during Emergency Event Alerts (EEAs). Customers receive automated temperature adjustments to reduce grid strain during extreme weather, with the option to opt out. The update builds on a successful 2022 pilot with San Diego Gas & Electric, which saw a 60% participation rate. The program aims to increase grid stability amid rising weather-related threats.

Positive

• New feature helps prevent power outages caused by extreme weather.
• Available to customers across the US and Canada.
• Automated temperature adjustments reduce strain on the grid.
• Customers have the option to opt out of temperature changes.
• Builds on a successful 2022 pilot with a 60% participation rate.
• Designed to increase grid stability amid rising weather-related threats.

Negative

• Only available to customers in select utility territories.
• Participation in energy conservation initiatives remains below 20%.

New opt-out feature launches ahead of forecasted record-breaking hot summer and builds on success of summer 2022 pilot.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smart home leader ecobee today announced the launch of an updated grid resiliency program to help prevent power outages caused by extreme weather, sustained high heat, and natural disasters.

During an Emergency Event Alert (EEA) or equivalent event, ecobee customers in participating utility service territories who are not already enrolled in a demand response program will receive an alert on their ecobee Smart Thermostat and ecobee mobile app informing them that their home is at risk of an outage. Customers then receive recommended, automated temperature adjustments to help reduce the strain on the grid during extreme weather events. During these adjustments, customers are in control of their comfort and can opt out of any changes before or even during the event.

This solution will be available to customers in select utility territories across the US and Canada as an update to ecobee’s existing eco+ Community Energy Savings feature. It is designed to help increase grid stability in the face of increasing weather-related threats. According to NERC, two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortages during high-demand periods that stress the energy grid. Despite a rapid increase in weather-related power outages, the number of customers participating in energy conservation and sustainability initiatives remains below 20%, per J.D. Power. This update, which helps utilities reach 100% of ecobee customers in a given territory, results in temperature adjustments between 1-4 degrees to help ensure grid stability.

“Our Grid Resiliency Program’s unique opt-out model helps communities avoid capacity shortfalls by providing utility companies with access to the vast majority of ecobee devices in their territory to reduce the strain on the grid during an energy emergency,” said ecobee Executive Vice President, Energy, Chris Carradine. “We are seeing more extreme weather events than ever before, and it is critical that we give communities a seamless and transparent method for managing their energy use during emergency events.”

The program was first piloted with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in September 2022. SDG&E used ecobee’s new solution during a grid emergency in their territory, which drove a 60% participation rate and equivalent kWh savings as a standard demand response event, demonstrating the capability of this solution to engage customers that have not enrolled in a utility demand response program. Building on the success of the pilot, ecobee is expanding this solution across the US and Canada to help create a more reliable and flexible grid.

To learn more about this update and ecobee’s suite of industry-leading grid resiliency solutions, visit www.ecobee.com/utilities

About ecobee

ecobee Inc. was founded in 2007 with a mission to simplify everyday life while creating a more sustainable world. Since launching the world’s first smart thermostat in 2009, ecobee has helped customers across North America save over 31 TWh of energy, which is the equivalent of taking all the homes in Los Angeles and Chicago off the grid for a year. Today, ecobee continues to innovate with smart home solutions that solve everyday problems with comfort, protection, and conservation in mind. In 2021, ecobee joined Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a leading global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions, and other power products. Generac and ecobee share a vision to deliver a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for customers and communities. The Generac and ecobee home of the future will be more comfortable, secure, resilient, and efficient. For more information, visit ecobee.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240530242718/en/

Press:

Fatima Reyes, Senior Communications Manager, ecobee

press@ecobee.com

Source: ecobee

FAQ

What is the new ecobee grid resiliency program?

The new ecobee grid resiliency program helps prevent power outages during extreme weather by sending alerts and automated temperature adjustments to reduce grid strain.

How does the ecobee grid resiliency program work?

During an Emergency Event Alert (EEA), ecobee customers receive alerts on their Smart Thermostat and mobile app, with automated temperature adjustments to reduce grid strain.

Can customers opt out of the ecobee grid resiliency program?

Yes, customers can opt out of automated temperature adjustments before or during the event.

Which regions will have access to the new ecobee feature?

The feature will be available to customers in select utility territories across the US and Canada.

What was the result of the 2022 ecobee pilot with San Diego Gas & Electric?

The 2022 pilot with San Diego Gas & Electric saw a 60% participation rate and equivalent kWh savings as a standard demand response event.

How does the new ecobee feature contribute to grid stability?

The feature helps increase grid stability by reducing strain on the grid during extreme weather events through automated temperature adjustments.

What is the current participation rate in energy conservation initiatives?

The participation rate in energy conservation initiatives remains below 20%, according to J.D. Power.