Salesforce unveils innovations to help utilities scale clean energy program adoption

Salesforce has introduced its Clean Energy Program Management for Energy & Utilities Cloud.

The new solution streamlines the launch, management and oversight of energy efficiency, conservation, electrification and EV charging programs. Now program managers at electric, gas and water utilities can quickly and easily launch and manage new programs and increase customer participation.

In September 2023, the UK Government announced further changes to its Net Zero plans, pledging to help ease financial costs on families. In the context of an uncertain policy environment, the energy industry has the opportunity to lead the climate transition in a positive way by taking advantage of technological innovations to streamline and simplify sustainability programs, and in turn will make it easier for customers to find ways to save money.

Energy & Utilities Cloud uses the full power of the Salesforce Customer 360 and innovations like Data Cloud and the Einstein 1 Platform to drive efficiency and better, more personalized experiences for utility customers with real-time data, AI, and automation.

Clean Energy Program Management helps utilities securely and compliantly develop, launch, and manage new clean energy initiatives while enabling their customers to easily discover what offers are available to them, apply for programs, and quickly receive benefits.

  • Program Management Console makes it easy to set up residential, commercial, and industrial programs with targets for things like energy savings, water conservation, and number of homes served. From the console, program managers can track the number of applications submitted, see application status and details, monitor program performance and budget, and manage regulatory compliance. Companies can also:
    • Promote community programs, like EV charging station installations at a public parking garage, to drive customer awareness while ensuring everyone involved — from the property owner to the installer — is in sync on the project and able to address customer questions.
    • Identify customers who may qualify for or be interested in clean energy programs, and engage them with personalized outreach showing what offers are available, the benefits of relevant programs, and how they can sign up.
  • Customer Self-Service Portal makes it easy for customers to discover and learn about energy efficiency programs and offers. The portal provides an intuitive experience that taps Einstein AI to automatically surface all relevant programs, offers, and services so customers can easily search and access available rebates, incentives, new rates, and income qualified offers. Customers can then apply for programs, be matched with a trusted service provider, and even receive their benefits — right from their energy retailer or utility’s website.
  • Contractor Portal makes it easy for outside contractors to communicate and collaborate with utilities, providing a real-time hub to discover leads and upload work packages in bulk. AI and automation simplify the management of rebate applications and invoices, so contractors can get reimbursed faster, even as the volume of work grows.

Kelly James, GM and SVP, energy & utilities, Salesforce, said: “The energy and utilities sector has a once in-a-lifetime opportunity to guide their customers through the transition to a clean and sustainable energy future. With Clean Energy Program Management on Salesforce’s trusted AI, Data, and CRM platform, energy and utility companies can automate processes and create strong and lasting partnerships with their customers and communities, helping us all get to net zero faster.”

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Tags: electric, energy, environment, Salesforce

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