The Green Button Alliance, through its comprehensive Green Button Testing and Certification program, has tested and certified several new utility-provided energy data exchange platforms in the United States and Canada as compliant to the North American Energy Standards Board’s (NAESB) Retail Energy Quadrant Book 21 (REQ.21) Energy Services Provider Interface (ESPI) Model Business Practices standard, version 3.3, commonly known as the Green Button standard.

Published by NAESB in January 2020, version 3.3 of the Green Button standard includes the structure and definitions for Personally Identifiable Information (PII); revised structure and definitions for Energy Usage Information (EUI); updated security requirements; and a simplified customer authorization process. To ensure secure sharing of PII data, the Retail Customer (RC) schema of the standard enables those data from a customer's account to be carried in a single stream with a separate, parallel EUI stream linking specific meters to the PII data.

   
To ensure the Green Button standard is implemented correctly—and the numerous key benefits of the standard are gained by utilities, customers and third-parties—regulators are increasingly calling for Green Button implementations to be tested and certified by the GBA as compliant to the standard. For example, as part of Ontario’s Regulation 633/21: Energy Data, energy providers province-wide must implement Green Button Connect My Data (CMD) and Download My Data (DMD) solutions – and certify the solutions through the GBA by 01 November, 2023.

Utilities interested in providing Green Button standards-based energy data exchange platforms should obtain the latest version of the standard, version 3.3, from NAESB prior to solution testing by the Green Button Alliance. Utilities offering Green Button solutions can pre-test their files for free using the GBA’s Download My Data Validator prior to applying for Green Button Certified testing.

July 5th: “London Hydro First Utility to Satisfy Ontario’s Green Button Regulation”

July 5th: “ERTH Power’s New Green Button Connector Tool Certified as Compliant to NAESB’s ESPI v.3.3”

June 29th: “Cleartrace Raises $20 Million Financing Led by ClearSky with Strategic Funding from Brookfield Renewable, EDF Energy North American, Tenaska, and Exelon to Help Companies Reach Decarbonization Goals”

June 9th “OhmConnect Raises $55M to Enlist More Homes to Prevent Blackouts”

May 19th “National Grid's Data Access Platform Certified as Green Button Compliant”

April 7th Amendments to Electricity Act, Public Utilities Act

March 17th “Con Edison Customer Receive Cash Payment for Saving Energy with the GridRewards App”

25 October: "Green Button Advances in Ontario," Smart Energy International.

25 October: "Utility Spending on Smart Meter Analytics to Triple Through 2030," Smart Energy International.

21 October: "NYSERDA Announces Selection of Program Manager and Utility Data Advisor to Develop Integrated Energy Data Resource," NYSERDA press release.

19 October: "New Regulation Requires Ontario Utilities to Adopt 'Green Button'," PowerGrid International.

13 October: "DOE Awards NARUC $14.2 Million to Train State Utility Regulators," Daily Energy Insider.

30 September: "The Pitch from Oakland Start-up OhmConnect? Save Energy and Get Paid For It," San Francisco Business Journal.

29 September: "Utilismart's Big Data Analytics Just Got a Little 'Greener'," Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) blog.

27 September: "New 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Compact Encourages Businesses to Decarbonize," Environment + Energy Leader. ClearTrace, a founding signatory.

20 September: "ENGIE Launches Ellipse, World's Most Comprehensive Carbon Intelligence Platform," ENGIE North America press release.

17 September: "Deadline Set for Energy-Use Data Availability," REMI Network.

15 September: "Ontario Pilot Program Tests Future of Advanced Hybrid Heating - London Hydro and Enbridge Tout Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction," Enbridge news post.

07 July: "Energyworx Announces $6M Investment Led by Eneco Ventures," Energyworx press release.

In Ontario, Canada, the government has passed Ontario Regulation 633/21: Energy Data, filing the regulation on 02 September.  Ontario’s new energy data regulation will go into effect on 01 November 2021 and requires electric and natural gas utilities across the province to implement Green Button Connect My Data (CMD) and Download My Data (DMD) energy data access and sharing solutions that adhere to the North American Energy Standards Board’s (NAESB) REQ.21 Energy Services Provider Interface (ESPI) version 3.3 standard, commonly known as the “Green Button,” by 01 November 2023.  Read the GBA’s announcement.

Green Button Alliance Announces Results of 2021 Board of Directors Election

The Green Button Alliance concluded its sixth annual Board of Directors election and is pleased to announce the addition of its new board members:

• James “Jay” Lewis, CEO, Big Data Energy Services was elected to serve in a two-year seat;
• Jeff Hendler, CEO, Logical Buildings was elected to a one-year seat and
• John Anderson, Director of Energy Markets, OhmConnect was re-elected to another one-year term.

In addition, on 12 January, Officers of the board…

• Syed Mir, London Hydro (GBA Chair),
• Daniel Roesler, UtilityAPI (GBA Vice-Chair), and
• John Anderson, OhmConnect (GBA Secretary)

13 January: "ENGIE North America Adds Nearly 2 GW of Renewable Energy in the U.S. in 2020," ENGIE North America press release.

13 January: "CTA Announces 2021 Smart Home Division Mark of Excellence Award Winners," CE Pro. “Energy Efficiency Product of the Year” - Logical Buildings, GridRewards.

08 January: "New Jersey Approves PSE&G's $778 Smart Meter Rollout," Greentech Media. Approval comes with regulator demand for energy data sharing.

31 December: "Top 10 Utility Regulation Trends of 2020," Greentech Media. #10 [Energy] Data Platforms Take Shape.

16 December: "Energy Department Announces $45 Million in Funding for Solar Technologies," U.S. Department of Energy post.

16 December: "Op-Ed: Smart Energy is Smart Policy," NJ Spotlight News.

14 December: "S&P Global Platts Names ENGIE 'Energy Company of the Year'," ENGIE Resources blog post.

07 December: "Companies Announce New Residential VPP for California," Power Magazine, OhmConnect.

03 December: "Fort Collins Utilities Launches MyData, Powered By UtilityAPI," UtilityAPI blog post.

02 December: "PUC Approves CUBs Petition for Open Data Access Standards," Minnesota Citizens Utility Board (CUB) blog post.

10 November: "Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Startup Spotlight: Virimodo," Alabama NewsCenter, Virimodo.

27 October: "London Hydro Builds on Past Success to Launch New Pilot," London Hydro Press Release.

09 September: "EnerWisely Confirms Energy Star Partnership for Energy Efficiency," EnerWisely press release.

Energy Data-Access Initiatives’ Progress, Support Climate Goals

Exciting energy data-access initiatives, as part of grid modernization efforts, continue to move forward in the United States. Innovative plans are also increasingly taking distributed energy resources (DERs) and renewable energy into account in support of grid resiliency and broader state climate goals. Stakeholder knowledge and participation in workgroups, and their resulting recommendations, are often the forebearer of future-forward policies.

District of Columbia

On 8 June 2020, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (PSCDC) announced (pdf) the approval of the next set of grid modernization recommendations for the District of Columbia stemming from its PowerPath DC stakeholder process. The recommendations include enhancing energy data access for all residential customers through Exelon subsidiary Potomac Electric Power Company’s (Pepco's) Green Button Connect My Data platform. The order, PowerPath DC (Case No. 1130, Order No. 20364) (pdf) helps to align the PowerPath DC grid modernization vision with Washington D.C.'s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2032.

State of New York

In March 2020, the New York State Department of Public Service (NYDPS) announced (pdf) a proceeding to expand the strategic access to, and use of, energy-related data in order to meet the state’s clean energy goals. In addition, access to system and customer energy-usage data is key to New York's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) energy strategy, which is guiding the state toward a cleaner and more-resilient electricity system. On 29 May, 2020, NYDPS staff published two whitepapers on the strategic use of energy-related data. The first paper, regarding the development of a Data Access Framework (pdf), defines the process for access to energy-related data; recognizes customers’ right-to-consent to share their energy-usage data; and standardizes the necessary privacy, cybersecurity, and quality requirements for data access. The second paper, regarding the creation of an Integrated Energy Data Resource (pdf), proposes a statewide, centralized platform for access to customer and system data. Stakeholders are providing comments for consideration by the NYDPS. If adopted by the Commission, the Data Access Framework would guide the requirements and process for access to energy-related data in New York.

U.S. Congress

In February 2020, H.R. 5796, the “Access to Consumer Energy Information Act” or “E-Access Act”, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The E-Access Act enhances consumer access to electric-energy and natural-gas information to allow for the adoption of innovative products and services to help consumers manage their energy usage. In June 2020, the E-Access bill was included as part of a 9-bill Climate Crisis Action plan, released as a staff report, that would assist in guiding the U.S. toward net-zero carbon pollution by 2050.

State of Illinois

In August 2020, Illinois’ “Putting Consumers & Climate First” (pdf) energy policy proposal outlined eight principles in support of moving the state toward a clean and renewable energy economy. Expanded access to energy data for customers and customer energy-management partners to enable customers to more easily and effectively manage their energy consumption is called for within the policy proposal. Working groups consisting of Illinois energy stakeholders are expected to reconvene.

To read more about these and other data access initiatives, please hover over the “Happenings” menu item on the Green Button Alliance website for a list of links to more information.

19 August: "RE100 Leadership Awards Shortlist: Companies Going Above and Beyond on Clean Energy," The Climate Group post. ENGIE a headline partner.

19 August: "OhmConnect Paid Users Over $300,000 to Respond to CAISO's Flex Alert in California," OhmConnect press release.

06 August: "Study: Home Energy Ratings in Real Estate Listings Would Steer Buyers to Efficient Choices," ACEEE press release.

23 July: "Canada Invests in Smart Grid Technologies for London Net-Zero Energy Community," Natural Resources Canada press release. Investment in London Hydro.

22 July: "New Yorkers Who Cut Power Use During HeatWave Get ConEd Payout," Bloomberg. Logical Buildings.

22 July: "PUC Advances CUB Framework to Enable Energy Data to Be Used in Public Interest," Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Minnesota post.

10 June: "Washington DC Grid Modernisation Programme Approved," Smart Energy International. Green Button Connect My Data.

09 June: "DC to Investigate Distributed Resource Ownership Issues as Part of Grid Modernization Effort," UtilityDive. Green Button Connect My Data.

CS Week announced the winners of their annual Expanding Excellence Awards, showcasing utilities that have “implemented major systems, aligned people with process and technology, used home-grown or market-based solutions to improve operations, and enhanced customer experience.” 

The awards are given in pairs: to utilities with annual revenues of USD $500M+ (Level I) and to utilities with annual revenues below $500M (Level II).

Green Button Alliance Sponsor Members, PECO (Exelon Corporation) and London Hydro, won the “Innovation in Digital Customer Engagement” awards (Level I & II, respectively) for showcasing “technologically complex projects that improve services in the meter-to-cash customer experience lifecycle.” 

Green Button Alliance member Southern California Edison won the “Innovation in People & Process” award in the Level I category for “projects that emphasize soft skills, general solutions and non-automated, low-tech approaches to engage customers and improve services in the meter-to-cash customer experience lifecycle.” 

The Green Button Alliance is proud to congratulate our forward-looking member companies on these prestigious achievements and recognition.  For more information and to see all of the winners, visit the following link to read the CS Week organizers’ press release:
http://www.csforms.org/Expanding_Excellence_Awards/2020 EEA/2020_EEA_Press_Release.pdf

2020-01-06: Corrected for Staffing changes at Logical Buildings.

The Green Button Alliance has concluded its fourth annual Board of Directors election, by the GBA's Participating Membership, and is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members:

Mark Gilbreth, Chief Technology Officer, Agave Systems will serve in the two-year seat and Bill Pfister, Senior Director of Business Analytics, Edison Electric Institute will remain on the board and serve in a second one-year seat.  The GBA welcomes these candidates who will join GBA’s existing Board of Directors on 01 January 2020!

New Hampshire is poised to move forward on a statewide, multi-use utility-customer energy-data platform that includes the benefits of the Green Button Connect My Data standard. Governor Christopher Sununu has signed Senate Bill (SB) 284—a bill introduced at the request of the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA). The OCA represents the interests of New Hampshire’s residential ratepayers.

The statewide, utility-customer energy-data platform would allow utilities, their customers, and authorized third parties to access the online platform and participate in the secure sharing of energy-usage data. The bill requires the platform to be certified by the Green Button Alliance and specifies that the platform supports the Energy Service Provider Interface of the North American Energy Standards Board and the Green Button Connect My Data data-access and -sharing initiative of the Green Button Alliance.

“Green Button is the gold standard,” explained Don Kreis, Office of the Consumer Advocate. Kreis worked with his director of finance, Jim Brennan, to draft a bill that strikes the right balance between data accessibility and data privacy.

“We built our data-platform proposal on top of the strong data-privacy protections our office previously persuaded our legislature to adopt,” Kreis explained. “Individual customers will have to give specific permission before third parties access their PII – personally identifiable information.” At the same time, the bill calls for the platform to make aggregated and anonymized data widely available.

The scalable and flexible platform will be a boon not just to innovative companies looking to develop energy-related services but also to municipalities seeking to make the benefits of retail electric choice available to their residents. A separate bill, also just signed by Sununu, allows cities and towns in New Hampshire to create “community choice aggregation” (CCA) plans—arrangements for securing lower energy prices or an energy-source mix that includes more renewables—on an opt-out basis; changing from out-in to opt-out has led CCA to explode in popularity in neighboring Massachusetts.

The New Hampshire data platform will be developed according to a collaborative process involving the state’s three investor-owned electric utilities and stakeholders with oversight by the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The PUC must open a proceeding by year’s end to begin the process of determining how the platform will be governed, designed, and operated. There is also a provision that allows the PUC to pause the project if it is too costly.

“We’re confident we can demonstrate that a statewide, utility-customer data platform will not just be cost-effective but will help secure the benefits of deregulation and grid modernization for consumers at long last,” said Kreis.

The District of Columbia's Public Service Commission announced in a press release a Staff Proposed Order recommending, among other things, "Expansion of Green Button Connect My Data to residential customers in the District" in their next phases of grid modernization, touted as Power Path DC, with a new website describing Power Path DC. 

Here is a link to the DCPSC Releases Staff Proposed Order on Grid Modernization Recommendations press release.

Here is a link to the new Power Path DC site.

John Anderson, Director of Energy Markets, OhmConnect, Inc., and member of the Green Button Alliance’s Board of Directors, has accepted to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Green Button Alliance.  Anderson fills the position previously held by Natalie Martinez, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance, Southern California Edison, who served as the Interim Secretary of the GBA.

The GBA thanks Natalie Martinez for serving and welcomes John Anderson to the position!

NAESB Ratifies Standard for Green Button

On 8 April, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), a member of the Green Button Alliance, ratified the latest revision of the NAESB Energy Services Provider Interface (ESPI) Retail Energy Quadrant Book 21 (REQ.21) standard, commonly known as the Green Button standard. Updates and enhancements to the standard were submitted to NAESB by the OpenADE Task Force, hosted by the Green Button Alliance, which included:

• Replaced OAuth 1.0 with OAuth 2.0 for “Confidential Clients”
• Updated security requirements to TLS 1.2 as a minimum
• Revised the Energy Usage Information (EUI) data structure and definitions
• Created the Retail Customer (PII) data structure and definitions
• Deprecated original Use Cases that do not meet OAuth 2.0 data security requirements
• Added Use Case for Download My Data (DMD)
• Simplified Use Case 2: “Customer Authorization process”
• Documented Standard ESPI Application Program Interface (API) formats

The current standard is now available for purchase from NAESB for $250.00 USD as the Final Action R13001 – Request for Corrections and Enhancements to the NAESB REQ.21 Energy Services Provider Interface (ESPI).

OpenADE Task Force: 

The GBA hosts the OpenADE Task Force technical meetings every Tuesday at 3:00pm ET, both GBA members and non-members are invited to attend.  See the GBA calendar for logistics.

The Green Button Alliance’s 2019 Annual General Meeting to be held at CS Week

The Green Button Alliance’s Annual General Meeting will gather digital utilities, energy-efficiency innovators, governmental agencies, research institutes, and affiliate organizations interested in learning about the latest on the industry’s Green Button energy data-access and secure data-sharing standard.

GBA members and non-members are invited to attend the 1-hour face-to-face meeting being held at CS Week in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday, 10 April, from 8:30-9:30 am MST (arrive at 8:15 to meet everyone).

Those that are unable to attend in-person may participate remotely; RSVP either way. 

The meeting will address:

• Green Button 2018 Accomplishments
• Green Button Connect My Data Technical Update
• Green Button 2019 & Look Ahead

RSVP to participate in the GBA’s Annual General Meeting — whether you’re attending in-person, or via web/dial-in. 

https://www.evite.com/event/0220D53JEYEWAAWNYEPJI5JU4KF2UY/rsvp 

Daniel Roesler, co-founder and CEO, UtilityAPI, and member of the Green Button Alliance’s Board of Directors, has been elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Green Button Alliance.  Roesler fills the position previously held by Mimi Zhang, Senior Product Line Manager, Itron, Inc. who served as Vice Chair of the GBA for the past two years.

The GBA thanks Mimi Zhang for her insightful service and welcomes Daniel Roesler to the position!