TXU Energy partners with cloud-based startup to enhance its real-time power data

TXU Energy customers who use the MyEnergy Dashboard will see a complete makeover of the interface in 2015 that will feature more relevant and actionable data, especially on mobile devices.

The Dallas-based retail electric provider announced a partnership Thursday with the Bidgely, a cloud-based company from Sunnyvale, California.

The enhanced system will roll out to all 1.5 million TXU Energy customers in 2015, the largest adoption yet for Bidgely.

"We're bringing information to consumers that they've never had before," said Abhay Gupta, CEO and founder of Bidgely. "It helps people understand where the money is going."

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TXU Energy first launched the MyEnergy Dashboard in 2011 giving customers a way to see the benefits of the electric plan, project their bill and pay it. Customers can also compare their bills to others in their zip code to see how well they're doing.

Bidgely's takes the data to a new level.

Bidgely's algorithms give customers even more insight into how individual appliances and systems in their home and business are using electricity.

The goal is to give people information so they can change their behavior.

The system taps into smart meters using "hardcore analytics" that know when certain devices are turned on and off by looking at the "fingerprints" those devices leave on the grid, Gupta explained.

The system can pinpoint how much electricity is being consumed by air condition units and appliances.

Peak demand is one of the biggest challenges for the state's electric grid managers. The enhanced dashboard can dig into consumption during peak demand hours and show people ways they could consciously change their behavior.

Nicholas covers the energy, manufacturing, aviation and transportation beats for the Dallas Business Journal. Subscribe the Energy Inc. newsletter