Duke picks Convergys for 'smart grid' system

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - Power company Duke Energy Corp. has chosen Convergys Corp. to provide billing and other services for the new advanced meters Duke wants to start rolling out to its four million customers, the companies said.

The meters are part of an effort to modernize the nation's electricity grid. Duke's five-year, $1 billion plan is designed to bolster reliability, detect power outages and provide real-time information to customers about electricity consumption in order to improve efficiency.

Convergys said its software will help Duke with billing, account management and collections for its "smart grid" system. Digital communications will help customers track their daily usage and what they owe on their bills, while streamlining the utility's meter-reading tasks.

"It really is about enabling us to give you more options, more information; more control in terms of how you use energy and manage your energy bill," said Todd Arnold, senior vice president for smart grid and customer systems at Duke Energy.

He said Duke expects to begin pilot programs before mid-2010. Arnold said the new system will improve communications and help the utility rapidly detect and react to power outages and other problems, such as when a major storm hits.

Convergys wouldn't say how much the contract is worth, but said it could lead to more business as the industry adopts smart grids.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke has customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Convergys, based in Cincinnati, provides outsourcing for business services including billing, call centers and human resources.

Related News

canada-ambitious-electric-vehicle-goals

Canada's Ambitious Electric Vehicle Goals

OTTAWA - Canada has set its sights on a bold and transformative goal: to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and light-duty trucks by the year 2035. This ambitious target, announced by the federal government, underscores Canada's commitment to combating climate change and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide.

The Federal Initiative

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for a substantial portion of the country's carbon footprint. The initiative aligns with Canada's broader climate objectives, including achieving net-zero emissions by…

READ MORE

Ukraine's parliament backs amendments to electricity market law

READ MORE

Federal Government announces funding for Manitoba-Saskatchewan power line

READ MORE

power lines

European Power Hits Records as Plants Start to Buckle in Heat

READ MORE

electric vehicle charging

Michigan utilities propose more than $20M in EV charging programs

READ MORE