Monday June 26 2006


Send Your Feedback

REPower seeks PUC OK
of its novel prepay plan

Do we favor innovation in Texas?

New Texas marketer REPower (RT, 3/13) wants a declaratory order from the PUC OKing its innovative prepayment plan.
The Future of ABC Channels in Texas

Audio conference, July 21, 12:00 - 1:30 PM CDT

What does Texas' impending Jan 1 move to full competition mean for hundreds of ABCs?

Restructuring Today has put together an ideal panel to address this question and more, including:

• David Wiers, Texas Electricity Professionals Association & Choice! Energy Services

• Jeff Nottingham, Cirro Energy Services & Dallas Electric Club

• John Elder, Legacy Energy Management Solutions

Click here to register early and save!         And that's because the staff warned the firm that the service might violate customer protection rules for billing.
        REPower wants to market a pay-as-you-go power service for apartments.
        It would use prepayment-enabled electricity meters that let customers prepay for, monitor and control their use.
        Customers get a SmartCard, an in-home Customer Information Unit and SmartMeter when signing up.
        They then visit a REPower kiosk payment center -- usually in a convenience or grocery store -- where they can put money on their SmartCard.
        Customers insert the now-filled SmartCard into the Customer Information Unit to buy power.
        Use is deducted from the SmartCard at a fixed, per-kwh price that was set when customers filled their card.
        The information unit plugs into any electrical outlet and tells customers their remaining prepaid balance, estimated remaining days of power, current use and kwh used in the last day, week or month.
        The unit beeps when the prepaid balance gets low.
        Customers will have their power flow interrupted if the prepaid balance reaches zero, REPower explained.
        But that's a lot easier on customers than traditional utility disconnects are, the marketer was quick to add.
        Customers can get service started again just by refilling their SmartCard without having to pay a reconnect fee.
        Power won't be interrupted during nights, weekends or holidays, REPower told the PUC.
        The SmartMeter can run in "deficit" mode too, REPower added, where it keeps the lights on even after the prepaid balance runs out.
        Customers with disabilities, illness or financial problems can ask REPower to let them buy power in deficit mode longer than typically allowed.
        Customers pay for the power used in deficit mode the next time they fill their SmartCard.
        REPower would sell power in First Choice Power's footprint (Texas-New Mexico Power) at 14.6¢/kwh for the average customer using 1,000 kwh/month compared with First Choice's 14.46¢ in Galveston for its price to beat.
        Originally published in Restructuring Today on June 14, 2006

Send Your Feedback

Did you find the in-depth news and analysis in this story insightful and crave more?  Visit Restructuring Today's website to subscribe.  You'll get up-to-the-minute, daily coverage of ongoing efforts to open competitive wholesale and retail energy markets with perspective on why some fail while others succeed.  Full premium online access to thousands of back issues and scores of exclusive CEO interviews is included with your subscription.


CONFERENCE LINKS

The Future of ABC Channels in Texas
When: 07/21/06 , 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CDT
Where: Your home, work or cell phone
www.restructuringtoday.com/conferences/texasabc.html

Market monitoring: Is the focus changing?
When: 07/28/06 , 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CDT
Where: Your home, work or cell phone
 http://www.restructuringtoday.com/conferences/monitor.html

EUCI's Western Resource Adequacy
When: 07/17/06 - 07/18/06, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Westin Horton Plaza -- San Diego, CA
http://www.euci.com

IQPC's 3rd Annual Broadband Over Powerline 2006
 When:  July 25-26, 2006
Where:  Dallas, Texas
www.iqpc.com/NA-2741/BPLT

EUCI's Using Shadow Settlement to Improve Profits in LMP Markets
When: 07/25/06 - 07/26/06, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Stanley Hotel -- Estes Park, CO
http://www.euci.com

EUCI's Preparing for New CAISO MRTU Market
When: 07/27/06 , 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Stanley Hotel -- Estes Park, CO
http://www.euci.com

NET-ATHOME™ -- The world’s most international connected home event
When:  September 26 & 27, 2006
Where: Hilton Hotel -- Cannes, France
 www.net-athome.com/

Copyright 2006, ghi, llc.  All rights reserved.

Top
Hi!