Dive Brief:

• Duquesne Light will offer a time-of-use option to customers in Pennsylvania, relying on retail supplier Direct Energy to roll out the program.
• The pilot will provide an on-peak and off-peak rate starting this month through September, helping encourage conservation and easing stress on the system during times of high use.
• As part of its advanced metering infrastructure project, Duquesne will provide customers access to a free web portal allowing them to see their usage in hourly increments.

Dive Insight:

The Pennsylvania statute Act 129 set the stage for the state's utilities to establish a time-of-use pilot program in an effort to increase efficiency and bolster energy conservation. While TOU rates can be a bit of a dilemma for utilities to implement, Pennsylvania utilities are testing the waters. Duquesne Light is the latest. 

As Energy Choice Matters notes, the utility has tapped Direct Energy to make it happen. On peak rates will run 8.79 cents/KWh while off-peak will cost 5.79 cents/KWh.

"We are always looking for ways to help our customers use less of what we sell, and incorporating this program is a great way to reward our customers for making energy efficient choices," Manu Asthana, president of Direct Energy Home, said in a statement. "Energy efficient technology can make a meaningful impact on our customers' energy usage and reduce their overall bill."

Duquesne's peak price, applies during specific weekday afternoon hours, excluding holidays, while the off-peak price applies at all other times. The program runs June to September, and during all other months of the year TOU-enrolled customers will be charged a single around-the-clock non-summer price.

"Customers could potentially see significant savings if they just change their energy use habits during the summer, such as turning up the thermostat in the afternoons when no one is home or waiting until nighttime to run the dishwasher," said Cullen Hay, a general manager at Direct Energy.

Customers with an advanced meter can enroll until July 28 and can cancel at any time. In addition to the web portal's ability to show power use, it will also provide targeted ways consumers can save energy and money, the company said.