Our Thinking

In latest webinar, Opower experts discuss how big data can empower consumers to save energy

With the global advent and expansion of smart meters and home area networks, utilities are currently experiencing an unprecedented boom in their volume of data. While all of this data can be extremely valuable in advancing energy efficiency, it can also be a significant challenge to store, manage and analyze. That’s where Opower comes in.

On Tuesday, Opower held its latest webinar discussion on how to navigate big data for valuable insights that can help utility customers save energy and money. Opower’s Director of Platform Marketing, Anand Babu, presented how big data and advanced analytics represent a powerful energy savings solution.

Tyler Curtis, Senior Director of Advanced Analytics at Opower, followed with a robust explanation of how Opower continuously improves its programs through data analytics, and how his team uses statistical forecasting methods to predict the impact of our platform.

From both of our esteemed experts as well as many others in the industry, the bottom line is clear: big data and the insights it can provide are integral to saving energy. But, don’t just take our word for it: listen to the full webinar here.

For more information on Opower’s ongoing Power of Energy Information webinar series, check out all our past and upcoming webinars.

Read More
Our Thinking

New Employee Spotlight: Nat Futterman, Come on Down!

I’ve just joined the SysOps team in San Francisco.  I’ve lived in the Bay Area for about 8 years (currently in the East Bay) but am originally from Alturas, in the middle of nowhere in the northeast corner of California.  Before Opower, I spent a year and a half at Box, where I worked on their datacenter and storage operations teams. But I’ve also run a phone hotline for farmers in Uganda and been a bike courier.

What made you want to join Opower?
My background is in information access in international development, which I started in as a social scientist, but ended up on the technical side.  My interest remains in clever ways to use technology to give people more and better information to guide their decisions. And that’s very much what Opower’s mission is.  I’m thrilled to be at a company with such a material positive effect on the world.

What has been your favorite thing about Opower so far?
The values: in addition to how skilled and talented my new colleagues are, it’s a really good feeling to work somewhere with so many people who actually care about our company’s bigger goals.  For example, I love that people care about recycling and composting and that biking to work is normal and encouraged.

What are some of your hobbies?
Outside of work, I spend most of my time riding and working on bikes, and I’ve been known to race cyclo-cross.  I also teach bike maintenance classes at a bike co-op in San Francisco called the Bike Kitchen.

Read More
Our Thinking

Opower Advisory Board adds two new utility industry all-stars

We’re thrilled to welcome two new faces to Opower’s Advisory Board: John Rowe (former chairman and CEO of Exelon – the third largest power company in the US) and Dick Kelly (former CEO of Xcel Energy and the current Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute).

These widely recognized industry leaders bring unrivaled utility and regulatory experience to help guide Opower’s growth domestically and internationally.

John RoweDick Kelly

New members of Opower’s Advisory Board, John Rowe (left) and Dick Kelly (right)  

In addition to the arrival of Rowe and Kelly, current board member Tom Brady will take on the role of Chairman of the Advisory Board. Brady is the former chairman of Baltimore Gas and Electric.

Our other Advisory Board members include Fred Butler (former member of the Board of Directors at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners) and Dian Gruenich (former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission.

You can check out the full press release here.

Read More
Older Posts