Cyber criminals are trying to leverage the COVID-19 emergency by sending out “phishing” attacks that lure internet users to click on malicious links or files. Through emails with phony pledges for health information, hackers are gaining access to sensitive data. Acumen is deploying remote cybersecurity services to help community-owned utilities protect against these dangerous COVID-19 phishing attacks.
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To help community-owned utilities design their COVID-19 response, GreatBlue Research has developed a low-cost digital research solution to effectively and efficiently gather insights directly from customers.
Utility markets are seeing substantial changes in load characteristics and energy prices as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Energy Authority (TEA) is helping community-owned utilities develop risk management strategies that will offset the current volatility in wholesale energy markets.
Expanding the scope of services offered to public power systems, Acumen is helping municipal utilities maximize the return on their operations technology (OT) investments and optimize operations. Acumen’s technical knowledge and real-world utility expertise in IT/OT engineering provides vital support to utility personnel.
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We know this a stressful and critical time for all Public Utilities and their customers. This pandemic hits home for every one of us, and we are dedicated to working together to help public utility communities recover and move forward.
While we have all been focused on managing during COVID-19 developments, assessing future business scenarios is essential. When will normal operations return? What are the implications of this uncertainty to customers, staff, operations and future projects/initiatives?
Through its work with Apogee Interactive, Horry Electric Cooperative has achieved unprecedented success engaging its members with Short Message Service (SMS) or text messaging. Located on the South Carolina coast and serving 85,543 members, Horry EC is among the State’s fastest growing residential communities. With a goal of engaging members in an ongoing dialogue about their energy use, and using a previously untapped communication channel, Horry chose Apogee Interactive’s Engagement Platform for Information and Communication (EPIC) to text message its members with personalized, relevant, time-sensitive messages.
The COVID-19 pandemic raises many issues for both insureds and insurers. As events continue to unfold, organizations should work closely with their advisors and counsel to address their myriad concerns. In a new report, COVID-19: Evolving Insurance and Risk Management Implications, Marsh provides an overview of some of the key coverage, claims, and risk management areas related to the pandemic and also looks at how businesses can actively respond to current effects while continuing to plan and prepare for future ones.
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The industry’s leading provider of customer research for community-owned utilities, GreatBlue Research is sharing insights into the world of market research. In excerpts below from the February 2020 issue of GreatBlue Point of View, you will learn about common “sampling” options and why digital surveys are popular.
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Through a group purchasing program for joint action agencies, Apogee Interactive’s acclaimed Energy Advisor online energy audit and digital engagement platform is now available to public power utilities of all sizes and budgets.
Formed in 1889, ALP Utilities in Alexandria, Minnesota is among the oldest electric utilities in the nation and well known today for delivering excellent electric, water, and business communications services. Yet, the organization faces many of the same infrastructure, financial, customer engagement, energy resources, and workforce issues as utilities across the U.S. As a new general manager determined to unify his board and staff on the future direction of ALP Utilities, Ted Cash launched in 2019 a five-year strategic planning process. He and his public power peers at Provo Power and the Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency chose as their strategic plan facilitator Hometown Connections, Inc., the non-profit utility services organization specializing in the unique challenges facing community-owned utilities.