PowerStream, Collus Launch Innovative Energy-Efficiency Program

VAUGHAN, ON--(Marketwired - January 04, 2016) - PowerStream and Collus PowerStream today announced that they are bringing Ontario's first behavioural energy-efficiency program to the region as part of the Conservation First Framework, which began in 2015. In partnership with Opower, the global leader in cloud-based software for the utility industry, PowerStream and Collus PowerStream will give customers a more personalized experience and more control over their energy use.

The partnership includes Opower's Home Energy Report program, which offers a series of customized tips to help customers identify easy ways to lower their consumption and save money. The reports pair behavioural science with Big Data analytics to provide useful information about whether a household's energy use is in line with homes of a similar size, the time of year, and local weather patterns.

The Home Energy Report program's unique, personalized insights are powered by Opower's massive data platform and analytics engine. With over 40 per cent of all residential energy consumption data and nearly two-thirds of AMI data in the U.S., Opower processes more household energy data than any other company on earth, so PowerStream and Collus PowerStream customers will be getting the most accurate and informative energy insights available to the utility industry.

PowerStream and Collus PowerStream are rolling out the new customer tools as part of the Ministery of Energy's new Conservation First Framework, which is designed to reduce Ontario's electricity consumption by seven terawatt-hours (TWh) by December 31, 2020. In March, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli commended PowerStream and Collus PowerStream for being the first local distribution companies (LDCs) to have a Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plan approved by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

QUOTES

• "These new tools that empower our customers to save money and energy demonstrate PowerStream and Collus PowerStream's commitment to provide a high quality service experience," said Maurizio Bevilacqua, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Vaughan. "Opower's behavioural energy efficiency program also helps us lead the way in supporting the new Conservation First Framework."
• "We're excited to help PowerStream utilize innovative new customer engagement tools," said Opower CEO Dan Yates. "Investing in the service experience is the mark of a truly cutting edge utility, and Opower is glad to help make the most of this commitment to customers."

BACKGROUND

• The Conservation First Framework covers a six-year period from 2015-2020. PowerStream exceeded its cumulative energy savings target prescribed for its service territory by 21 per cent during the previous framework 2011-2014.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM AND COLLUS POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company providing power and related services to more than 375,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan. PowerStream also has a strategic partnership with the Town of Collingwood in the ownership of Collus PowerStream, a utility that serves customers in four communities in the Collingwood area.

ABOUT OPOWER

Opower (NYSE: OPWR) is an enterprise software company that helps utilities elevate the customer experience. Energy providers use Opower's customer engagement platform to deliver proactive, digital communications that raise customer satisfaction, manage energy demand, and lower service costs. Opower's software is deployed to more than 95 utilities worldwide and reaches more than 50 million homes and businesses. For more information, please visit www.opower.com and follow us on Twitter @Opower.

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