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Oncor Provides Overview REP Residential Smart Thermostat Pilot Program
Oncor provided a presentation updating the retail electric providers (REPs) Residential Smart Thermostat Pilot Program.
As previously reported, the Texas Public Utilities Commission (TPUC) initiated a pilot program under which REPS are reimbursed under the TDU’s energy efficiency budget for providing a smart thermostat to residential customers.
Currently, under the pilot phase, the program is limited to the following four REPs: Reliant, TXU, Octopus, and Rhythm.
And as a reminder, the pilot is running from August 2024 through Nov. 2024.
Excerpts from the Oncor Presentation Energy Efficiency Implementation Project Under 16 TAC § 25.181
Where are we today?
- All four REPs have completed the umbrella contract and are authorized to insta~ thermostats
- Approximately 200 thermostats have been paid under the program
- We are working closely with the REPs and the State evaluator to ensure documentation and savings calcinations are correct
- Project submissions should increase significantly between now and the end of the year.
- We hope to open the program to a~ REPs in early January 2025.
Program Objectives:
- Increase the deployment of smart thermostats across Oncor’s service area
- Provide energy savings to help Oncor achieve State mandated energy efficiency goals
- Provide incentives to assist REPs in meeting the requirements of SB1699
- Test program design concepts to identify opportunities for REPs and TDUs to work together on energy efficiency programs
- Reduce customers’ energy use · Facilitate demand response and load management programs in Texas
Program Parameters
- Total Budget $800k · $200k per REP
- $100 incentive per thermostat
- Pilot Program operates from August 2024 through Nov 2024
EEPM interface
- Each REP will bulk upload installed thermostats to EEPM for review
- Projects will automatically be created and submitted with the upload file
- Duplicate measure checks will be implemented to ensure the ESIID hasn’t already received a thermostat
- Maximum of two thermostats per household
- REP IDs will be created to be used with the file upload
- REPs will have the ability to log into EEPM and review project status
- No BYOT enrollment Review and inspection process
- Oncor desk reviews
- Possible on-site inspections for a small percentage of customers
- Demonstrate control functionality (TBD) Installers
- REPs are responsible for identifying and contracting thermostat providers
- Oncor has a list of installers who have expressed their willingness to work in the program
