In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Online Key Account Tool Box supports public utility programs
		Fuel cell plant joins Alameda County renewable energy collection
		Revitalized communications promote efficiency, ease rate hikes
		New cooling technology aids South Dakota's pursuit of efficiency
		Fort Mojave tribal casino gets cooling system makeover
		Brigham City bike promotion raises energy efficiency awareness
		Lompoc LED light rebate promotes efficient holiday decorating
		Dairy, utilities learn from South Dakota's first digester
		Outreach programs help busy utilities educate consumers
		Energy Services seeks customer input
		Topics from the Power Line: Radiant heater a good choice for auto repair shop
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Low-mass, surface-mounted radiant heating panels in homes and offices
		Calendar of events

Online Key Account Tool Box supports public utility programs

The Key Account Tool Box is an Internet-based resource utilities can use to help their key accounts operate more efficiently.

Public utilities now have a powerful information resource to serve their key customers. The online Key Account Tool Box is a portal to thousands of resources about energy efficiency and renewable technologies, utility programs and best practices for businesses. The data is timely and accurate, the sources are objective and the links are selected and regularly reviewed by a national team of energy experts.

Imagine a utility key accounts representative checking in with a key industrial customer finds the plant manager in crisis mode, because a major motor failed today and they are scrambling to replace it. The utility rep finds a tool on the Key Account Tool Box that lists the efficiencies of suitable motors. The plant manager chooses a motor from that list, and later realizes a 20-percent efficiency increase. This quick solution strengthens the relationship between the utility and the key customer, opening the door for the utility rep to promote other utility programs.

This scenario is realistic. A business customer with a quick source of reliable information on a product or technology can make profitable purchasing and management decisions. Those decisions lead to increased productivity and reduced operating costs for the business, clearly a competitive advantage. If the business's utility provides this information, the utility becomes a responsive and valuable partner. Such partnerships lead to customer retention and community revitalization. That is what the online Key Account Tool Box strives to achieve.

Product of collaboration

The American Public Power Association's Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments program sponsored the Key Account Tool Box project.  For 26 years, DEED has supported activities that promote energy innovation, improve efficiencies and lower energy costs to public power customers.

Western, Southeastern Power Administration and the EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse collaborated on the development and operation of the Web site. Each of these organizations supports the information needs of public power utilities in their region. "APPA and the Federal power marketing administrations share a mission to help utilities operate as efficiently as possible and one of the ways to do that is to help their end-users," said Peggy Plate, Energy Services representative for Western's Rocky Mountain Region.

Plate represented Western on the development team. "The Key Account Tool Box meets the needs of both the power provider and the consumer. The Internet is a very effective way to deliver that service," she said.

The sponsors premiered the resource at the APPA Customer Connection Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in early November. "We gave a presentation, and the room was full," said Western Energy Services Representative Ron Horstman. "Judging from the number of questions, the Tool Box will be meeting a real need."

Resources for every level

The Key Account Tool Box is about good sustainable business practices for people at every level in an organization. Search it for studies outlining proven energy management strategies, building benchmarking data, product reviews, financial assistance programs, or free expert resources.

Decision makers and facility managers will benefit from the latest information on regulations, program evaluation reports and project case studies. Users will find outreach materials, networking listservs and RSS feeds to strengthen communications programs, or job listings, training calendars and online courses to build their workforce. There are more resources and tools for customer service, planners and executives.

When first visiting the Key Account Tool Box, search the Tool Box database by keyword, or review the Tool Box Top Picks that feature specific sectors, technologies or professionals. The Ask An Expert feature gives users access to expert advice specific to a region or nationwide. A menu of relevant Listservs provides links to industry networks and news resources.

Member benefits

More tools and features are available to public power utilities served by the sponsoring organizations through the Members Only section. As a member, key account representatives are able to forward pertinent links to their account customers, or subscribe account customers for full member access.

Members can browse the Tool Box Library with a guided topic search, and save items to a Library Cart. From here, the links can be sent directly by email to key customers. If a utility enrolls a key account as a member, the customer will have the same access.

First time users—public power utilities associated with DEED, Western, SEPA or Bonneville Power Association—will want to join now for full access to the site. There is no membership fee, but the Members Only section is customized for public power utilities and their key customers. 

The benefits of energy efficiency and renewable technologies are far reaching. With this online tool you can offer quick and convenient solutions to businesses in your community, and support your key account strategy.

For more information about this online resource, contact your Energy Services representative, or call Western's Power Line at 800-769-3756.