Gridium aggregates many types of energy data to provide a complete picture of your building’s energy use. The utility landscape is complicated. Building operators may contract with any or all of the following types of providers:
- Electric distribution utility. Every geographic region is served by a single electricity distributor, the company that operates the transmission lines and other grid infrastructure in your area. This company also owns and maintains the meter in your building. Usually this is your main electric utility, responsible for sending you a monthly bill.
- Third-party electricity supplier. In many regions, customers can purchase electricity supply separately from electricity distribution. Supply refers to the generation of electricity via wind, solar power, coal, or other sources. Distribution refers to the transportation of electricity from power plant to customers. Customers who purchase third-party supply work with two utilities for electricity services, one for supply and one for distribution, and they may receive two separate bills. (However, in some regions these separate charges are consolidated into a single billing document.)
- Natural gas utility. In some regions, a single utility provides both electricity and natural gas. In other regions, natural gas may be provided by an independent utility.
- Solar generation provider. Buildings that generate their own electricity via solar panels often contract the management of the solar infrastructure to an outside vendor.
- Battery storage provider. As with solar panels, buildings that use on-site batteries for electricity storage often contract out the management of the batteries to an outside vendor.
- Electric vehicle charging provider. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is generally installed and maintained by an outside vendor who operates a network of chargers.
- Chilled water, hot water, or steam. Some municipalities offer district heating or cooling as a metered energy service, similar to electricity or natural gas.