Today, Mission:data announces the Green Button Scorecard, which grades the quality of utilities’ data-sharing functionality. The Scorecard evaluates five (5) investor-owned utilities: ComEd, Consumers Energy, LG&E, Rockland Utilities (NJ) and Xcel Energy.
We have long been critical of utilities that misrepresent their Green Button offerings. Utilities have often disappointed on Green Button with broken links, 404 errors and technical defects. Unfortunately, our investigation found that even vaporware remains alive and well in the utility sector. LG&E used its Green Button certification as part of securing approval for a $350 million advanced meter project. But when we asked to use Green Button, LG&E admitted to us that it doesn’t actually exist. As a result, LG&E received the lowest score.
But it’s not all doom-and-gloom. The highest-ranking utility is Consumers Energy (Michigan), which had a perfect score (5 out of 5) with onboarding. Onboarding is the process by which data recipients register with the utility, and it was flawless. Ultimately, the Green Button Scorecard is about continuous improvement – and every utility has room for improvement, regardless of their starting point.
The Green Button Scorecard was accomplished by testing real systems with real customers. Special thanks to the friends and colleagues who volunteered to share their time and utility account experiences with us.