Utility Companies in Delaware
Contents
- 1 Utility Companies in Delaware
- 2 Energy Deregulation in Delaware
- 3 Difference between Active vs. Certified Electric Suppliers
- 4 Utility Grid to Smart Grid
- 5 Shopping for Energy Choice
- 6 FAQ's
- 7 What will Change?
- 8 Will I receive two separate Electric Bills?
- 9 What Happens at the End of the Term?
- 10 Electric Suppliers
- 11 Utility Companies
Delmarva Power is a local distribution company owned by Exelon Corporation. The public utility provides service to over 320,798 electric customers and 134,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware. Delmarva Power’s service area covers an area of more than 5,400 square miles.
Energy Deregulation in Delaware
Residents living in Delaware have the power to choose their energy supplier. Since 1999, the main responsibility of Delmarva Power is to maintain the lines and wires that deliver the electricity to the point of service. Retail energy suppliers now compete to bring you the lowest generation rate for the supply portion of your bill. The supply portion makes up more than 60% of the total cost of the electric bill. Residents that choose not to select a competing supplier will continue to have power delivered by Delmarva Power.
Difference between Active vs. Certified Electric Suppliers
A retail electric supplier that plans to do business in Delaware must apply and be approved by the Public Utility Commission. Once approved, the supplier becomes a Certified Electric Supplier. This gives them the green light to provide energy services to customers looking to switch from the default rate offered by Delmarva Power.
To be classified as an active energy supplier the company must obtain certification by the Public Utility Commission and have at least 10 residential or commercial customers in Delaware. The supplier must also show a willingness to the Commission they will accept more customers. Delaware residents can find a full list of active suppliers on the Public Service Commission’s website.
Utility Grid to Smart Grid
Technology is constantly changing at a rapid pace. Just as phones have evolved to smartphones, the efficiency in which electricity is transferred and power outages detected has transformed the utility grids into smart grids. With computer-based technology, two-way communication has allowed utility companies to quickly detect power outages and take the appropriate measures to transfer the electricity through different channels and quickly restore power to end-users.
Smart meters play an important role for both Delmarva Power and end-users. Smart meters can measure with better accuracy the amount of energy a business or residential home consumes. This measurement allows the utility company to efficiently provide the needed voltage in a cost-effective manner. On the user end, smart meters will notify customers when peak-demand is at its highest. Cutting down on energy usage during peak-demand will translate to more savings for the customers.
Shopping for Energy Choice
Delmarva Power customers can use the price to compare to shop around for retail energy suppliers. The electric bill will provide the annual class average price to compare.
FAQ's
What will Change?
Delaware customers taking advantage of energy choice will receive the same level of service as they did from Delmarva Power. The only change will be the supply rate charged on your electric bill.
Will I receive two separate Electric Bills?
No, Delmarva Power will send one electric bill incorporating both the delivery and supply charge. The supply charge will reflect your new retail energy supplier. In certain circumstances, the customer can request duel billing.
What Happens at the End of the Term?
At the end of the term, unless the customer cancels, the retail energy supplier will continue to bill customers on a variable month-to-month basis. If the customer cancels at the end of the term, they will automatically be transferred back to Delmarva Power.