Presentation Abstract: "Case Study: Halton Hills Hydro - Customer Perceptions of Smart Metering" Gaining customer acceptance of smart meters has taken extensive and repeated customer communication. Customer perceptions are shaped by fears of increasing costs and new technology fueled by negative media reports. At Halton Hills Hydro, we have made customer communication a priority to help reshape these views and gain consumer buy in of our smart metering project. Energy conservation is one of the main goals of smart metering in Ontario and this goal is only obtainable through consumer participation. This presentation will focus on the approach Halton Hills Hydro has taken to help customers understand smart metering and the importance of energy conservation. It will also discuss the challenges in addressing customers perceptions as we prepare to introduce Time of Use pricing. NOTE: This presentation was initially broadcast during the Smart Grid Virtual Summit on July 29, 2010. [ >> View Presentation ] * [ Ask Presenter a Question ] * [ Join Attendee Chat Room ] * [ Back to Program Agenda ] Speaker: Jennifer Gordon, Smart Metering Coordinator, Halton Hills Hydro Inc. Jennifer Gordon has 15 years experience in the utility industry. In 2005 she joined the Ontario Utility Smart Metering Working Group which included representatives from over 45 utilities who reviewed emerging smart metering and related technologies. She is currently Smart Metering and Smart Grid Coordinator for Halton Hills Hydro. Jennifer chairs a Smart Metering Committee incorporating members from all business units within the company. She led this team through the procurement process of selecting a smart metering system, has managed the deployment of 13,000 smart meters to date and continues to work on the integration of smart metering systems with other business processes and software systems within the company. Jennifer has been fundamental in the development and testing of the smart metering solution integrated into the SunGard CIS system utilized by a number of Ontario utilities. Under Jennifer's leadership, Halton Hills Hydro became one of the first wave of Ontario utilities to begin testing with the Ontario provincial Meter Data Management & Repository (MDM/R). Jennifer is also chair of the recently formed Smart Grid committee which will be developing a comprehensive smart grid and renewable energy plan for Halton Hills Hydro.