OPower Essay Example for Free

OPower Essay Answer the following questions that are based on the article reading below. Keep your responses to 1-2 paragraphs (150-300 words) per question. Posts must be clear and concise, and must address the questions being asked. You must also respond to at least one of yourpeers Discussion Questions: Even though Laskey and Yates are of the opinion that OPower has been extremely successful in the years since its inception, they also believe that the behavioral science-based approach could produce even better results. They also feel that they needed to work on convincing more regulators to adopt this new version of behavioral energy efficiency. 1. What changes could they make to drive more positive results? Laskey and Yates have done an outstanding job with a marvelous business model idea. This business model definitely has the Win, Win, characteristics; OPower, the consumer and the environment all win. The behavioral science strategy of a little competition with the neighbor and a little fear of judgment is obviously working well. However, OPower could rise the level of competition to a different level by rewarding the biggest saver in a designated area. This could be done by announcing the winner in everyone’s bill in that area, and reducing his next month electrical rate to a lower rate. In other words, the less a consumer consumes the less is the charge per unit cost. This competition level could be raised, to city level or even state level. Such incentives could help Laskey and Yates achieve the 5% energy use reduction. 2. Were there other things they could do to have an impact on energy uses—or on the environment more fundamentally? Information-based energy management is one of the most exciting innovations in the utility industry. Behavioral science and targeted, multi-channel communications make it possible to stimulate utility customers on a large scale, leading to increased engagement and sustained energy savings. However, there is more that can to be done to reduce our negative environmental impact. OPower model only stimulates consumer for less energy consumption. It does not create incentives to use sustainable energy. I believe that any problem can be most effectively solved when prevented rather that cured. If we were using sustainable, renewable, and cleaner resources rather than non-renewable, highly dangerous and, polluting resource to create energy, it would be a better solution. OPower could generate a study and show the impact difference in coil generated electricity versus so lar generated electricity to promote cleaner electricity producing resources. 3. What could they do to more quickly move state governments to approve their program?  The OPower program has already received our current Presidential recognition. This is a huge leverage to influence other State representatives to recognize the impact the energy saving could have at a state level. The company representatives could use the President’s endorsement as a leader’s opinion, and lobby their services to influence other possible leaders such as governors and presidents of other countries. I also like the idea of Opower to provide their services to bigger consumers. It obviously would show greater energy reduction if the consumer is larger user of energy. It would also be a great way to market their service, because the corporation using OPower could let their customers know that they are using less energy by utilizing OPower services.