Entergy Texas, Inc. has applied at the Texas PUC to deploy smart meters through its territory

"Technology advancements have also changed customer expectations regarding how they interact with their service providers and how they manage the services that are provided. By implementing an AMS, ETI plans to harness these technology advancements to improve its operations and customer service capabilities," ETI said

"Moreover, technology and innovation are changing customer expectations as a result of how products and services are delivered both inside and outside of the utility industry. Added to this is the wealth of knowledge and services that are available to consumers via the Internet. Over the past several years, there has been an increase in customers’ expectations that they be able to access information and manage services via mobile devices like smart phones, tablets, and other devices. Accordingly, it is appropriate for ETI to move forward with AMS deployment, consistent with the legislative directive that ETI deploy as rapidly as practicable," ETI said

"ETI is seeking to modernize its electric grid to meet customer expectations regarding how they interact with their service providers and the tools available for them to manage those services. To that end, an AMS is the technical foundation and platform for the modernization of ETI’s electric grid that will enable future products and services for customers," a witness for ETI stated

"For example, ETI plans to provide interested customers with notifications of preset usage thresholds that would give them more frequent information about their usage and estimated bills. Customers will also be able to review usage patterns each day to see where opportunities to reduce or eliminate consumption may occur within each billing cycle, rather than after the billing cycle has ended," ETI's witness stated

"ETI plans to provide customers with peak event notifications as part of its AMS deployment," ETI's witness stated

"The availability of customer usage data at a more detailed level could also allow for specifically-designed offerings for and better assistance to customers," ETI's witness stated

"There could be more flexible billing and payment options developed based on the knowledge of the customer’s usage patterns," ETI's witness stated

ETI proposes to deploy advanced meters to its retail electric customers over a three-year period of 2019-2021.

Docket 47416