Updates to the BC Hydro web application for BESI customers aims to make it easier for energy managers to apply for incentives.
The Strategic Energy Management Hub is BC Hydro’s latest approach to manage energy efficiency projects, from proposal to completion.
“We’ve made some improvements based on feedback we have received over the years,” said Tanya Perewernycky, Program Delivery Specialist for BC Hydro. BESI was launched in 2010 and the Strategic Energy Management Hub started this year to make the incentive process easier.
“Customers will be able to start an incentive application from here directly,” said Perewernycky in a BC Hydro webinar.
All BESI customers can log in to the Strategic Energy Management Hub with their existing IDs and passwords.
It is now easier to see which projects quality for incentives. Projects that are eligible will have a green “Start” button, and clicking the buttons will immediately begin an application.
For improved guidance during the application process, there are more messages and warning throughout the submission. For example, messages will arise to explain cost thresholds. Messages for the status of applications will pop up to explain why an application is being reviewed. The goal of these extra messaged is for “providing you with further clarity.”
To ensure the application is quickly reviewed, Perewernycky recommended to read and follow all warning messages and “remember to include costs that are specifically related to the retrofits being applied for in the application, not the overall project cost.”
New functionality allows customers to make changes to the application after it was submitted, as long as the application is re-submitted when changes are complete. For example, there may be configuration changes recommended from pre-site inspections.
Lastly, the Strategic Energy Management Hub allows for documents (including Word, Excel, PDFs and images) to be uploaded to accompany the application.
Perewernycky said all these changes are intended to “improve customer usability.” If you have questions or concerns about your BESI applications, contact Rede for more information.