Utility Provides Start Date For Bill Ready Billing Implementation, Improvements To Retail Supplier Access To Customer Data

The Ohio EDCs made filings concerning their architecture and related information as part of Ohio's PowerForward grid modernization proceeding

Of note is that Duke Energy Ohio's filing details various improvements in retail supplier access to customer usage and related data, which were previously agreed to in a separate proceeding (the improvements had been first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com last year, see story here)

The Duke report includes timelines for implementation of bill ready billing and supplier access to customer information, with various improvements anticipated to go live in 2021 and 2022

These enhancements include:

1. Methods to identify customers that have billing quality interval CEUD. These enhancements are anticipated to be available by mid-2019.

2. System enhancements to facilitate the bulk uploading of residential authorizations to release interval CEUD. Currently, CRES Suppliers can upload authorizations one at a time via the CRES Portal. This enhancement would add functionality for customers to self-authorize the release of interval CEUD on the authenticated Duke website. These enhancements are anticipated to be available at the beginning of 2020.

3. System enhancements for billing. The following enhancements are anticipated to be available at the beginning of 2021. These enhancements will allow for the following:

a. Larger volumes of data to flow through EDI transactions, including system management tools.

b. Add the ability for CRES Suppliers to receive interval CEUD from AMI meters, like the functionality they currently have with IDR meters.

c. CRES Suppliers can enter their interval CEUD charges on the Company's bill using "Bill Ready Billing." This enhancement will allow CRES Suppliers to offer electric commodity products of their choosing, without potential limits as to what can be calculated in Duke Energy Ohio's billing systems.

4. System enhancements to provide "Next Day" usage. This will allow CRES Suppliers the ability to obtain hourly interval CEUD the day after power is consumed. The enrollment of a customer and the transmission of "Next Day" interval CEUD will be made via EDI transactions. Using EDI will automate both the initiation and daily processes, as well as, allow large volumes of customers to be eligible for the "Next Day" services that CRES Suppliers may offer. These enhancements are anticipated to be available at the beginning of 2022.