Electric Utility Programs
Design, implement, and grow electric utility green power programs
Renewable energy certificate (REC)-based utility green power programs have been around for more than 20 years. Today, there are more than 7.5 million customers enrolled in these programs, which are offered by the majority of large utilities nationwide. The growth and success of green power programs is understandable since they are straightforward for utilities to design, launch, and scale – and the accessibility, simplicity, and low cost make them a win for customers, too.
3Degrees’ team is deeply committed to supporting its utility partners in building, growing and sustaining green power programs that generate positive customer engagement, offer meaningful paths to decarbonization, and maximize value to the utility.
HOW WE HELP
Working with 3Degrees ensures you can feel confident in the program’s quality, compliance, and appeal.
- We are the trusted, industry-leading partner with decades of experience focused on supporting voluntary green power programs that support customers’ desire to reduce their carbon emissions.
- Our team delivers a one-stop-shop in the marketplace – from program design and optimization services, to program supply, to launches, enrollment campaigns, marketing and customer acquisition, and ongoing implementation.
- We’re focused and experienced in Green-e® compliance, helping customers to navigate the audit process and marketing compliance reviews.
Results from our work on electric utility voluntary programs:
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| Residential customer positive perception, satisfaction | Commercial customer satisfaction and retention | Forward progress on decarbonization in alignment with ESG goals | Reduced risk exposure |
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| Residential customer positive perception, satisfaction | Commercial customer satisfaction and retention |
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| Forward progress on decarbonization in alignment with ESG goals | Reduced risk exposure |
OUR GREEN POWER PROGRAM SERVICES
Program Design
For two decades, 3Degrees has helped utilities answer fundamental questions as they design their REC-based green power programs. We advise our partners on topics including optimal program pricing to maximize customer enrollments, accurate forecasting of enrollments and MWh sales, Green-e® Energy certification, and REC procurement strategy.
CASE STUDY
3Degrees worked closely with long-time partner Pacific Power to develop a REC procurement strategy for its Blue Sky renewable energy program that helped ensure the development of 51 megawatts (MWs) of additional renewable capacity in the state of Oregon. The program included four new build projects across Pacific Power’s service territory, including the Huntington Wind Project and two projects in southern Oregon where 40 percent of Pacific Power’s customer base lives.
Program Optimization
3Degrees provides assistance when utilities have an established green power program but its growth has stalled, customer enrollments are declining, or when they are expanding their program options. We carefully assess the utilities’ challenges and design a strategy to effectively meet their financial and enrollment goals.
CASE STUDY
A Midwestern investor-owned utility launched its green power program in 2011 but, after several years, customer enrollment was stagnating and the program was no longer hitting internal metrics. The utility engaged 3Degrees to craft a customized targeting and messaging strategy to help bring new life to the program. We began by analyzing customer research and market data to help identify distinct customer segments most likely to participate, then created custom value propositions and messaging pillars for each of the target segments. The new strategy kick-started the program and customer enrollments began to steadily increase.
Marketing and Customer Acquisition
A well-marketed green power program builds trust with customers, adds strategic value to a utility, and creates opportunities for meaningful customer engagement and learning. 3Degrees has deep expertise developing effective and equitable marketing and outreach strategies for REC-based green power programs. These include a combination of insight-based integrated marketing campaigns, compelling messaging, and scalable courtesy calling that result in effective multi-touch campaigns.
From traditional print tactics to high-volume digital strategies, our team serves as an extension of our utility partners to develop integrated marketing and outreach plans that prioritize customer relationships while educating, acquiring, and retaining participants in green power programs.
BY THE NUMBERS:
3Degrees’ outreach and courtesy call teams have enrolled over 570,000 customers in utility programs through over one million one-on-one conversations.
"The 3Degrees team works directly with our department to promote the Blue Sky renewable energy program. They understand our brand and our processes and work with us to promote the Pacific Power brand through the Blue Sky program. Together we create marketing efforts that resonate with our customers and are in line with our goals for the Pacific Power brand."
