PG&E, Apple Put Energy Usage Data Into the Hands of Customers

During Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference 2024 (WWDC24) this week, the company previewed a series of Home app updates  that will be available to iPhone users in iOS 18, including working with PG&E to make it easier for Apple and PG&E customers to access their home electricity use.

As detailed in its 2023 R&D Strategy Report, PG&E is working to expand load management capabilities across transmission, distribution, and customer levels of the grid and is partnering with the innovation community to make comprehensive load management a core capability. 

PG&E and Apple have a shared goal of enabling customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions impact by empowering them to access, understand, and manage their electricity usage.   

Managing energy loads on the electric grid has historically been done through load management such as energy efficiency, demand response and batteries to reduce customer energy use and avoid electric grid overload conditions during periods of peak demand. However, evolving consumer technologies, novel grid architectures and innovations, and changing environmental conditions require more granular load management capabilities to meet different needs at the local and system level.   

PG&E electric customers will be able to view and understand their electricity usage in the Home app’s Energy category when they connect their utility account.

“The partnership between PG&E and Apple creates foundational capabilities that serve to achieve climate benefits and cost savings for all customers while helping PG&E achieve our goal of a net zero grid by 2040,” said Mike Delaney, vice president, Utility Partnerships and Innovation, PG&E. 

The new feature is available now as a developer beta via the Home app, will expand to public beta next month, and will be available to all via free software updates this fall.