Energy supply sector role in disruptive innovation

KUALA LUMPUR: Disruptive innovation is not disruptive, despite what the term suggests.

It brings many benefits to the people, creating converging transformative elements in shaping the world into a more sustainable place, as well as embracing connectivity and innovation along the way.

The energy supply industry plays a significant part in supporting the transformative trend.

Disruptive innovations in the energy-supply industry comprise many novel initiatives, including those that can create and accentuate new customer experience.

A case in point is an energy efficiency project called Home energy report (HER), developed by Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

The pilot project, launched in mid-2015, has achieved over 13,000 megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity savings, or equivalent to 9,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide avoidance, throughout its implementation.

It has benefited 200,000 households in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya and Melaka, and received much interest and positive feedback from customers.

The second phase of HER was launched by TNB and KeTTHA recently at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia 2017.

Similar programme, such as PG&E and Exelon, have been adopted and applied by foreign utilities in other countries.

They use the programme as part of promoting energy efficiency to customers, meet regulatory requirements and lower cost of electricity.

Phase Two of HER runs from October this year to September next year. It was enhanced and expanded over the pilot programme with wider outreach and new functions.

This time, all domestic customers will get to access HER widgets and tools at TNB’s customer service web portal, myTNB.com.my.

HER uses behavioural science and data analytics to achieve energy-efficiency objectives.

It educates customers on energy usage and saving so that they can make informed choices and control energy bills.