Making things that people want

I was thrilled this week to see Greentech Media publish a story about NRG's CEO and his focus on consumer experiences and making great products (http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/clean-tech-needs-to-shift-focus-to-the-consumer/).  Energy and environment folks have talked about educating consumers for 30+ years.  People don't want to be educated, lectured, or admonished.  They want to save money, save time, feel good about their decisions and have great consumer experiences.  Who can say that about buying electricity?  Who can say that about any sort of energy experience?  It is time to get on with the business of building desirable products in the energy industry.  Our hypothesis is that process begins by giving people, consumers, the power to make good decisions and to see costs and value clearly.

Just out of curiosity, what is the best product you've purchased lately?  What product do you love?  I am a big fan of household soda makers.  I am almost chagrined to talk about a product experience.  But then as I sit here I realize that we are trying to build a great product.  So we should talk about products that we like and that make us feel good.  I have been a product evangelist for the household soda maker and have gotten 3 or 4 families to make the purchase simply by showing them how we use it and/or by talking about it.  I don't know if there is another product that I have felt this strongly about-- perhaps ever.  Why do I love it?  It is easy to use, reduces the waste stream, and seems to save us money.  A powerful combination.

I hope those of us in the energy and environment business can help to create products as powerful as this one.

How to buy electricity...

What does it take to do a good electricity deal?

There are a few, very manageable steps to take in order to do a good electricity deal.  I will list them here:

1)  Make sure you have all of your utility account numbers. 

2)  Understand your current electricity contract--

• when does your current agreement end, what month?
• what are you paying for electricity right now? 

3) Take a look at the forward curve for electricity.  Does it seem like a good time to buy electricity?  Where is the forward curve for electricity?  Is it high or low relative to recent months?  How about relative to your last contract?  You may not know... but you should be able to see it on TheMWh.com.  

4) Understand what your business' goals are.  Is it critical for your business to remain within a clearly defined budget or can you have some variation in your monthly or annual budget?  If it is the former, then you need a fixed price.  The latter?  You can buy an index or block product.  Take a look at the potential variations in costs between index, fixed, and block on the strategy section on TheMWh.com.  

5) View the pricing forecasts on TheMWh.com's website, on the contracts section.  Compare the monthly cost forecasts.  Take a look at the term sheet in the strategy section-- so you know exactly what to ask a supplier.  

6) You are ready to buy.  Feel free to contact Deirdre Lord at TheMWh.com if you want additional help.  dlord@themwh.com.