The Green Button “Connect My Data” (CMD) standard is the North American energy industry standard for enabling easy access to, and secure sharing of, utility customer energy usage and account information.
“Connect My Data” (CMD) enables utility customers to authorize third-party solutions to securely share interval meter data and account information that enables a detailed level of analysis to inform energy management decision making while ensuring customer data is protected and their privacy is maintained. The Green Button standard utilizes an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.
Green Button CMD enables a simple, customer controlled authorization process. The customer can define the length of that authorization and revoke authorization at any time.
Features and Capabilities
- Hydro Ottawa can generate Green Button data from measurements obtained from smart meters in the data interval provided by the utility’s meters.
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a secured transmission that is separate from the secured data stream used to transmit a customer’s energy usage information (EUI). The receiving third party is required to logically connect the separate data streams.
- Green Button data contains bill items such as payments; generation and distribution charges; demand charges; third-party charges; etc.
- Green Button data access and sharing must be authorized by the Hydro Ottawa customer.
Disclaimer
Hydro Ottawa is aware that Green Button data will most likely be used for downstream processes that can affect key decisions by users. We know that accurate data is important, unfortunately, there is always going to be missing or estimated data. Current data and data history consistency is not guaranteed. Data gaps will occur; meters or communication networks can fail, power outages can result in zero consumption, etc. Gaps and estimates will be included where necessary and subject to update when better data is available. Users must understand and accommodate this reality.
Third-party service Providers wishing to register and test their compliance with Green Button requirements necessary to gain access to Hydro Ottawa customer data under the Green Button “Connect My Data” (CMD) Standard.
Please click here to begin the onboarding process.
Green Button and Third-Party Services
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) are intended for third parties looking to provide Green Button solutions or services to Hydro Ottawa customers. Third-party solutions must first be tested and approved by Hydro Ottawa and customers must authorize the third party to access their information using Green Button “Connect My Data”.
What is “Connect My Data”?
The Green Button “Connect My Data” (CMD) standard is the North American energy industry standard for enabling easy access to, and secure sharing of, utility customer energy usage and account information.
“Connect My Data” allows customers to digitally authorize their energy usage and account information to be safely shared with third parties who can view and analyze their data and provide additional insights into managing and conserving energy. For example, these third parties may be clean energy companies, or analytics firms who can view and analyze customer data and provide additional insights into managing and conserving energy. Customers are encouraged to research third-party companies before connecting with them to make sure they meet their needs.
Hydro Ottawa can provide Green Button data from measurements obtained from smart meters in the data interval provided by the utility’s meters.
What data is provided by Green Button?
There are two types of data within the Green Button standard – “Energy Usage Data” and “Account Information”.
“Energy Usage Data” includes up to 24 months of historical and ongoing meter readings and dates, billing period dates, usage data and electricity charges.
“Account Information” includes bill details, mailing name and address, service address, account number, meter number, and rate class
How does a Hydro Ottawa customer authorize a third party to access their data?
Green Button data access and sharing must be authorized by the Hydro Ottawa customer.
Customers wishing to authorize third-party access to their Green Button data must first start in the third-party software. The third party will then link customers to Hydro Ottawa's Green Button authentication process so they can log in and select what information they want to share.
What if the Hydro Ottawa customer does not have MyAccount access?
The easiest way is for the customer to register for MyAccount. Registration takes just a few minutes. Customers need to create an online account. Once this is complete, all they need is a valid email address.
If the customer does not have, nor want to have, MyAccount access they can use an alternate process that has been developed for this very situation by following the steps identified on Hydro Ottawa’s dedicated Green Button page.
How long does a customer authorization for Connect My Data last?
The customer selects the type of data, the duration and the frequency for which their data will be shared with the third party. The customer can revoke access at any time for any reason.
How do I become an authorized Green Button Third Party?
Hydro Ottawa must ensure third-party service providers and their applications have the capability to securely use “Connect my Data” before they can be authorized. Third-party providers that are interested in applying for authorization to provide “Connect my Data” services can do so by visiting Hydro Ottawa’s Third Party Registration portal.
What does XML format mean?
Extensible Markup Language (XML) lets you define and store data in a shareable manner. XML supports information exchange between computer systems such as websites, databases, and third-party applications. Only XML is the Green Button format.
Who is Savage Data Systems
Savage Data Systems (SDS) provides their Green Engine Data Custodian service to Hydro Ottawa. SDS interfaces the Data Custodian to the Hydro Ottawa Customer Care and Billing System using a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) provided by Hydro Ottawa.
These APIs provide secure access for authorized third parties to Hydro Ottawa customer energy usage data and access to their billing information.
Hydro Ottawa customer energy usage data is hosted by SDS who will also make that data accessible via Green Button.
What is the Green Engine Data Custodian?
The SDS Green Engine Data Custodian is compliant with the NAESB 3.3 Standard. Functionality and the Ontario Energy Board mandated Green Button requirements under Ontario Regulation 633/21 as set out in subsection 25.35.8 (2) of the Electricity Act,1998 and in compliance with Green Button Alliance requirements.
The Green Engine Data Custodian allows Hydro Ottawa customers to authenticate with third-party service providers and manage the scope of their selected data requests. It will manage the authentication with the third parties and supply the authorized third parties with the customer energy usage and account data based on the scope of the agreement with the Hydro Ottawa customer. It will also allow Hydro Ottawa customers to manage their third party relationships by either revoking or updating the scope of their agreement with the third party. Third parties will register and supply all the necessary information required to communicate with the SDS Data Custodian using the SDS Vendor Management System.
What is the Vendor Management System provided by Savage Data Systems
The SDS Vendor Management System is the onboarding system for third-party service providers to register, test their compliance and apply to obtain approval necessary to gain access to Hydro Ottawa customer data under the Green Button “Connect My Data” (CMD) Standard.
Hydro Ottawa will be responsible for approving all third-party applications for data access.
How do I contact Savage Data Systems?
Questions? Contact Savage Data Systems at (705) 495-6359 or [email protected]
Are there limitations on the accuracy of Green Button Data?
Hydro Ottawa is aware that Green Button data will most likely be used for downstream processes that can affect key decisions by users. We know that accurate data is important, unfortunately, there is always going to be missing or estimated data. Current data and data history consistency is not guaranteed. Data gaps will occur; meters or communication networks can fail, power outages can result in zero consumption, etc. Gaps and estimates will be included where necessary and subject to update when better data is available. Users must understand and accommodate this reality.
What is the Green Button Alliance?
About the Green Button Alliance
The Green Button Alliance is composed of utilities, government departments and agencies, solution providers, and affiliate organizations that collaborate to advance the Green Button initiative. The standard for Green Button is published by the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) as the Energy Service Provider Interface (ESPI). For more information, or to join the Green Button Alliance, please visit https://www.greenbuttonalliance.org
Green Button Alliance Testing Program
Hydro Ottawa is Green Button Alliance (GBA) tested and certified. GBA tests automated sharing of Green Button “Connect My Data” implementations to verify for utilities that they have properly implemented the Green Button standard and that the implementations will provide consistent Green Button data that will securely work with Green Button compliant applications.
The “Green Button Certified CMD” mark will assure third-party developers and customers that the implementation has been GBA tested and complies with Green Button standards and that customer privacy will be protected.
https://www.greenbuttonalliance.org/testing
Where can I find more information on Green Button?
Ontario Energy Board – Green Button
Ontario Newsroom
Green Button Alliance (GBA)
Disclaimer: Hydro Ottawa supports the use of Green Button but does not take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided in using it, or its use by customers or any authorized third party. Hydro Ottawa shall not be liable in any way for any information derived or generated from using the product or any damages claimed therefrom.
About the Green Button Alliance
Green Button Alliance Testing Program
Hydro Ottawa is Green Button Alliance (GBA) tested and certified. GBA tests automated sharing of Green Button “Connect My Data” implementations to verify for utilities that they have properly implemented the Green Button standard and that the implementations will provide consistent Green Button data that will securely work with Green Button compliant applications.
The “Green Button Certified CMD” mark will assure third-party developers and customers that the implementation has been GBA tested and complies with Green Button standards and that customer privacy will be protected.
About the Green Button Alliance
The Green Button Alliance is composed of utilities, government departments and agencies, solution providers, and affiliate organizations that collaborate to advance the Green Button initiative. The standard for Green Button is published by the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) as the Energy Service Provider Interface (ESPI). For more information, or to join the Green Button Alliance, please visit https://www.greenbuttonalliance.org.