Energy

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC): Customer Relations Research

Mail and online member surveys since 2012 to assess customer satisfaction, opinions of membership benefits, communication awareness and preferences, perceptions and knowledge of CEC’s board, management, and employee performance, and awareness and interest in various services provided by CEC.

Fergus Electric Cooperative: Customer Relations Research

Telephone survey of Fergus members to assess satisfaction generally and determine interest, depth of knowledge, usage and support for the utility’s entry into the solar energy business.

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC): Customer Relations Research

Telephone survey research of OTEC members to track and measure member satisfaction, priorities, communication preferences, and willingness to participate in demand-side management and pricing programs. Additional projects assessed resident support and opinions regarding a proposed licensing fee on utilities.

Clark Public Utilities: Customer Relations Research

For 20 years DHM has managed telephone surveys to track customer satisfaction with service and rates, assess views toward renewable and alternative energy sources, concerns over global warming, support for conservation efforts, and communications messaging.

Avista Corp.

Long-term analysis of customer opinion trends for Avista in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Studies measured perceptions of Avista’s performance, customer priorities, and advertising effectiveness, as well as customer attitudes toward paying by energy source type, smart grid, and smart meters.

Energy Trust of Oregon: Market Research

Qualitative research with small business owners and people who make key decisions in small businesses. Focus groups targeted Hispanic, Asian, and rural business people. The research assessed the efficacy of current Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) outreach materials, determined small business owners’ priorities regarding energy use decisions, and guided ETO in developing inclusive strategies and targeted outreach to business owners from specific communities.

Green Building Initiative: Green Globes Marketing Support Research

Study of core values and attitudes towards green building certification among key stakeholders, including building owners, designers, and anchor tenants. The study used quantitative and qualitative research to clarify what differentiates Green Globes in the marketplace, to identify the key target audience for a communications campaign, and to gain an understanding of what motivates target audiences to certify their buildings.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

In-depth interviews with key institutional decision-makers to gain a better understanding of how to promote conservation and renewable energy technologies. The final report identified what types of information institutions need in order to include conservation and renewable technologies into their resource decision-making models on a comparable basis with all other alternatives.

Northwest RiverPartners

Five focus groups and a region-wide survey to inform Northwest RiverPartners communications audit. Results supported the development of communications about dams on the Columbia and Snake River system, hydropower, and other renewable energy sources.

Oregon Wave Energy Trust

A study to assess knowledge and attitudes toward wave energy and to assist with planning and communications. The project included statewide surveys, surveys targeted to key local communities, and the development of an online survey for stakeholder groups to use with their members.

Puget Sound Energy

Qualitative and quantitative research with business and residential customers to assess perceptions of the company’s response to major power outages and to gauge general perceptions among customers regarding renewable energy and conservation.