The energy sector is not generally thought of as innovative. From setting power lines to energy generation through solar power, the industry has always seemed to be important but dull. However, Oncor changed this when it came into existence in 1912. Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC was established for the purpose of delivering affordable, reliable, and safe energy to the people of Texas. Its ongoing commitment to innovative services and solutions associated with smart energy benefits millions of Texans.
Oncor – The Largest Electric Delivery Company in Texas
An energy innovator in the 21st century, Oncor is known to be the largest electric delivery company in Texas. Presently, it operates over 140,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines that serve over 98 counties and 400 communities. In fact, its service area comprises 3 of the top 15 fastest-developing cities in the last decade as well as 4 of the top 10 fastest-developing counties in the past 10 years in America.
Oncor employs over 4,500 people, all of which aid in achieving the company’s mission, which is to deliver efficient, safe, and reliable energy. In the words of Allen Nye, the Chief Executive and Director at Oncor, “With an unwavering focus, the team works 24/7 to be the premier electric delivery company in the country and it shows.”
When it comes to innovation and development, the company invests billions in high-end infrastructure and advanced technologies so as to form a more reliable, smarter, and safer power grid for its 13 million consumers. In fact, the company has invested over $10 billion from 2017 to 2021 in its infrastructure. In just 2021, nearly $2.5 billion were invested. The self-healing grid technology is created by benefiting from state-of-the-art automation, drone technology, predictive analytics, and smart metering. When combined, they are capable of outsmarting possible power outages and overloads, thus aiding customers avoid inconvenience.
Such an incredible backend investment allows the company to share vital information with the customers in real-time as the grid is developed, reliability is strengthened, and the large capacity of the states is addressed during weather irregularities.
At the end of 2021, the business announced a capital plan that would require an investment of nearly $15 billion from 2022 to 2026. Such a huge sum clearly portrays the extent to which the venture is succeeding and the rapid growth taking place in Texas.
Providing Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective Programs
The indications of a national recession combined with augmenting inflation rates have made customers find ways in which they can reduce their expenses. And since energy is a necessity, helping consumers cut costs through its usage is a great way to help them. For the same reason, Oncor has always provided several incentive programs that aid the people of Texas to save money. In 2021 alone, the company offered nearly $45 million to its customers through its energy efficiency programs.
With the help of these programs, both businesses and individuals can augment their savings through solar power, LED lighting, ENERGY STAR® appliances, and insulation. This is all a part of Oncor’s commitment to supporting the communities and people it serves. And as part of the same, the Retail Product Program offers its residential customers point-of-sake, in-store discounts during their purchase of ENERGY STAR®-rated LED consumer appliances and LED lighting products.
The program provides energy-efficient products by collaborating with key market manufacturers and working with retail partners, like Costco, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Furthermore, customers can also avail of discounts on air purifiers, room air conditioners, and smart thermostats during their purchase from an online or in-store participating retail location. Besides, the company also teams with certain Dollar Tree Stores to provide customers with Advanced Power Strips at a lower price.
There are a number of ways in which consumers can cut costs associated with energy and Oncor ensures that its customers can gain maximum benefit from it. As a matter of fact, nearly half of the average household’s energy costs are linked to cooling and heating. This means that the replacement of an inefficient or old unit with a new, efficient model can significantly impact energy bills.
Thus, the Oncor program also allows its customers to install a new high-efficiency air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16 or more. Upon availing, the customers can earn incentives from $300 to as high as $2,800. And taking into account that the company’s service territory experienced record-breaking heat during the summer, a new air conditioner can cover the costs very rapidly.
Preserving the Environment while Helping People Save Money
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC urges its customers to take a load off the grid, thus saving their billing costs by providing tips associated with saving electricity. Cutting-edge meters offer customers more accurate insights into their electric usage, helping them become more efficient. Not to mention, such meters also have proven to be significantly beneficial for the environment since their deployment. All such efforts aid customers in making a difference for Texas as well as for themselves.
One of the tips associated with saving electricity involves encouraging customers to properly insulate their houses. This allows for maintaining the temperatures of the houses, hence cutting down on cooling and heating costs. Moreover, Oncor also has a program for homeowners who cannot afford insulation – regardless of their income, people can qualify for insulation, weather-stripping, as well as caulking.
In addition to this, customers planning to construct a new single-family house can also reduce their energy expenses by buying a home from Oncor New Homes Program (ONHP). These homebuilders are motivated to build Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes or ENERGY STAR® certified homes that utilize less energy than an average household.
The venture is further committed to helping renewable adoption. The installation of a solar photovoltaic system is not only better for the environment but also aids customers to save a huge amount of money in the long run. Participating service providers receive incentives for installing these panels besides obtaining energy storage backup in the company’s service region. Since the initial investment is high, such incentives aid customers to a great extent.
In 2022, Oncor interconnected nearly 80 renewable generators to the ERCOT grid, representing about 15,500 MW of renewable generation capacity. Through nearly 70 generators, that 12,000 MW of energy had attained commercial function. Out of this, about 10,000 MW represents 34 percent of all ERCOT wind generation, since it is from wind interconnections.
Nye states, “At the end of 2021, Oncor also had agreements in place with numerous generators – representing nearly 13,000 MW of new renewable and/or battery generation – that is expected to connect to its facilities and achieve commercial operation over the next few years. Similarly, renewable and battery generation projects are expected to continue to increase, particularly in the West Texas region.”
How is Oncor Different from Other Businesses that Provide Energy?
In a state like Texas where the weather conditions can be extreme and unpredictable, Oncor performs all kinds of tasks it can in order to communicate with customers. This is for the purpose of ensuring they can prepare, be aware of what to expect, and stay safe. People can check for updates through the MyOncor application and the company’s website. The on-staff meteorologist provides live weather reports. Overall, Oncor works 24/7 to alert and notify customers in advance and deliver frequent updates in case of a possibility of a power outage.
Even in the most absurd weather conditions and temperatures, the predictive weather modeling of Oncor strategically musters resources, equipment, and personnel to rapidly restore service posterior to the occurrence of outrageous storms. Through their system, Oncor customers stay aware and obtain tips for conserving energy and remaining safe during potential electric hazards and storms.
What further sets the company apart from other businesses delivering energy is that Oncor can determine potential challenges like voltage issues, transformer failures, and equipment overloads prior to their impact on customers. Nye explains, “Oncor uses a fleet of drones to monitor and inspect grid components in all weather conditions safely and efficiently. These frequent inspections mean crews can discover issues before they happen.”
Additionally, Oncor has also embraced LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, which is a remote sensing method that measures distance and forms a computerized image of the surveyed setting. This accurately and quickly determines priority vegetation intrusions as well as supports vegetation management analysis and planning in the long run.
Pull Quote: “Oncor uses a fleet of drones to monitor and inspect grid components in all weather conditions safely and efficiently. These frequent inspections mean crews can discover issues before they happen.”
Description of the Company: Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC is the largest electric delivery company in Texas and is focused on keeping its customers safe, and reducing their energy costs – all while protecting the environment.
Company Name: Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
Founding Year: 1912
Office Locations: Texas
Official Website of the Company: www.oncor.com
Name of the Featured Leader: Allen Nye
Designation of the Leader: Chief Executive and Director
