Duke Energy 2010 Annual Report Download - page 13

The technology also makes possible the integration of appliances and other in-home
devices, so customers can — if they choose — use the tools and information we provide
to reduce their energy usage and control costs.
As part of the upgrade, we have installed state-of-the-art digital meters at some
customer locations. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved our digital upgrade
plans in 2008. Since then, we have installed approximately 140,000 electric meters,
100,000 gas meters and 22,000 communication nodes in Ohio.
With this technology in place, we have begun residential energy management pilot
programs in Ohio and in a small area of Charlotte, N.C. Participating customers have
realized savings in their monthly energy bills.
Customer Service Improvements
In addition to improvements in our power delivery
system, the digital grid will help customers become more
involved in managing their energy use. We’ll be able to give
them the information, choices and control to make wiser
energy decisions, conserve energy and save money, in a
way that works best for them.
The digital grid technology investments we are making
in Ohio, and eventually in the other states we serve, will
create a customer experience similar to other technological
revolutions, like the Internet and the smartphone. Of
course, taking action is optional — and we feel strongly
that customers should be the ones to make that choice.
We are not waiting to build out the smart grid,
however, to create new opportunities for customers to
connect with us. Today, in addition to person-to-person
services, customers can communicate with us via social
media and online tools, so that we can respond more
quickly to their suggestions and concerns. Our storm
feeds on Twitter – @DukeEnergyStorm, and Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/DukeEnergyStorm, are great
examples of how we are reaching customers with
information they want and need.
The efforts of our employees to offer prompt and
effective customer service were recognized in 2010. In
a customer satisfaction survey for electric utilities, Duke
Energy was ranked third in the nation by the Key Accounts
National Benchmark Survey. Additionally, in the J.D. Power
and Associates 2010 Electric Utility Residential Customer
Satisfaction Study,
SM Duke Energy Carolinas ranked highest
among large utility companies in the South region, and our
Midwest operations moved up three spots to sixth place among 17 providers. We are proud
of our employees whose actions embody our long-standing culture of safety and service.
Electric Vehicles
We are working with the manufacturers of vehicles, batteries, and charging stations to
expand the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. In 2010, the Electric Drive Transportation
Association, of which Duke Energy is a board member, launched GoElectricDrive.com — an
online resource providing a wealth of plug-in electric vehicle information. The site includes
information about environmental benefits, charging infrastructure, purchase incentives,
DID YOU KNOW:
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
1 Filling up a plug-in electric vehicle costs 2 to 3 cents per mile, versus an average of 15 cents per mile for
gasoline per gallon.
2 The United States now imports more than half of its
oil, at a cost of billions of dollars per year. The use
of plug-in electric vehicles can dramatically improve
our energy independence.
3 Even in regions where most electricity is produced by
coal, electric vehicles still reduce greenhouse gases
by 25 to 30 percent over conventional vehicles.
SOURCE: GoElectricDrive.com
DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION / 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
11