Éco Sinopé Generates Record Savings

The original version of this text was published in the Summer 2021 edition of the magazine Copropriété PLUS (pp. 95-96).

A recent survey conducted among users of the Neviweb app reveals that 53% of respondents saved between $50 and $149 on their electricity bill by using the Éco Sinopé¹ feature combined with the winter credit option or Hydro-Québec’s Flex D rate. A proportion of 7.3% of survey respondents even achieved savings of up to $250.

Customers who subscribed only to the winter credit option for the winter of 2020-2021 received an average credit of only $35 applied to their electricity bill, according to results shared by Hydro-Québec. This figure drops to $28 when compared to the winter of 2019-2020. Hydro-Québec’s data on the average savings for customers enrolled in the Flex D rate were not yet available at the time this article was written.

The winter credit and Flex D rate are incentive measures implemented by Hydro-Québec to reduce energy consumption during the winter peak, which is from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm on weekdays. With the winter credit, Hydro-Québec customers can achieve savings by consuming less energy during peak periods. In contrast, the Flex D rate offers a reduction on the base rate for the entire season. However, electricity prices are higher for these users during peak events, which typically encourages them to modify their consumption. These options are part of the electricity provider’s dynamic pricing program.

Operation

Designed to align with dynamic pricing programs, the Éco Sinopé feature in the Neviweb app allows automated management of peak events and maximizes energy savings. Two types of products were compatible with Éco Sinopé: smart thermostats and intelligent load controllers designed by the Quebec company Sinopé Technologies.

For smart thermostats, Éco Sinopé allowed customers to choose between maximizing comfort or savings. Depending on the profile selected by the user, temperature variations could range from +/- 1°C to +2°C / -10°C. Thus, during peak events generated by Hydro-Québec, the Éco Sinopé feature automatically sent commands to the thermostats to preheat the home to maintain comfort before lowering the temperature to generate energy savings. At any time, users could regain control of their thermostats by raising the temperature to achieve their desired comfort level. They could also use an alternative heat source while benefiting from the favorable rate offered by the electricity provider.

For intelligent load controllers, the concept was similar. Éco Sinopé users could choose the behavior their devices would adopt during events generated by Hydro-Québec. Load controllers are typically connected to energy-intensive devices such as water heaters or electric vehicle charging outlets. A user could choose to have their water heater automatically turned off during peak times to achieve potential substantial savings without causing discomfort.

Surveyed on their appreciation of the Éco Sinopé feature, most respondents stated they were satisfied with the savings achieved. In fact, nearly 70% of them say they will activate Éco Sinopé again next year to benefit from savings on their electricity bill.

1. Preliminary results from the survey titled New Éco Sinopé Feature: User Review for the 2020-2021 Season. Results were compiled on May 13, 2021, from 851 Neviweb app users. Full survey results are available upon request: marketing@sinopetech.com.