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The Residential Energy Bill Analyzer
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The Residential Energy Bill Analyzer (REBA) by Electrotek Concepts® is a collection of software tools that enables utility customers to view and analyze energy consumption and cost. REBA was designed to help customers understand their energy consumption in terms of end-use costs, identify cost-effective energy savings investment opportunities, and monitor the performance of past energy-saving measures and building usage changes. The REBA suite of applications provides access to recent and historical energy consumption information, helps the end user identify trends and the potential for savings, and permits evaluation of different utility rate structures. REBA also makes possible general "what if" analysis of usage patterns and cost impacts. REBA provides a variety of tools to assist utilities in strengthening energy conservation programs, as well as expand customer service and marketing/retention programs.
How REBA Works
REBA automatically performs a thermal load analysis when the customer's billing data is first entered - either through interfacing with a utility's customer billing system or through manual entry by the user. Comparing energy usage against climate data for the utility's service area, this analysis separates total energy consumption into three end-use categories - heating, cooling, and base (all other uses). REBA then generates an Express Report displaying
These analyses can be refined by participating in REBA's energy audit. The customer can answer some or all of the energy audit questions for a more detailed breakdown of energy usage. REBA then generates a Comprehensive Report that shows energy usage broken down even further, as well as specific recommendations for reducing energy usage, with links to additional information.
REBA System Components
REBA';s components include
REBAServletTM: This application, the original REBA component, is an Internet-based tool for examining and understanding residential energy expenditures. This program is primarily intended as a tool for residential customers and utility field auditors having access to the Internet. REBAServlet utilizes Java, Javascript, and XML templates, guaranteeing that users should be able to run the program on their personal computer. Access to REBA is protected by password log-on access and the software uses secure Web transactions supported by most Web browsers.
REBA can be offered as a password-protected service over the Internet.
REBAMailTM. This REBA application is designed for batch processing of energy usage surveys. This survey processor is ideal for processing mail-in surveys. This component reads weather and billing data along with customer survey responses from a local text file or database. The application is configured so that surveys can be electronically scanned and analyzed, speeding up processing time. REBAMail generates a high-quality black and white report that can be printed on specially-designed utility forms
The energy audit function helps to refine analysis of energy use patterns and costs.
REBAApplet. Electrotek has developed a desktop tool for usage by field auditors and utility customer representatives. This application is a stand-alone applet that runs through a Java-capable browser on the user's workstation. This applet analyzes the customer's energy use and produces a report similar to that produced by the Web version of REBA. Intended to help utilities improve servicing of residential customers, this application offers distinct demand-side management benefits.
Unlimited Flexibility and Customization
Because of its component-based structure, REBA can be configured to meet virtually any requirements dictated by a utility's information system or customer service/marketing needs. In addition, REBA's utilization of XML templates offers utilities unlimited potential for customization. Whether it is the "look and feel" of individual screens or the content of customer reports, the REBA software system can be set up and customized to reflect a utility's corporate image and overall customer service/marketing objectives. In addition, REBA can be set up with an energy library and an online energy mall to provide additional resources for information and to promote and sell energy efficiency products and services offered by the utility or affiliated partners.
REBA's Comprehensive Report presents specific areas for improved energy performance, along with links to additional information.
Helping Utilities Retain the Competitive Edge
With deregulation bringing increased competition for customers, utilities will need to use every resource at their disposal to retain current customers and attract new ones. REBA can serve as the foundation for an effective customer service/marketing program, giving utilities that winning edge.
To learn more about REBA, or to see the possibilities offered by an interactive customer information program, contact Electrotek Concepts today.
"Electrotek Concepts" is a registered service mark of Electrotek Concepts, Inc.