Utility Companies To Reward Energy-Saving Customers With Airline Miles

KAILUA KONA, Hawaii, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Soon, consumers will have a new incentive to reduce energy consumption: free airline miles.

Ikehu Natural LLC, a startup based in Hawaii, won the "Peak Energy Usage" award in a contest sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy.  They received the award for creating a technology called the Demand Response Incentive (DRIVE™) System.

The DRIVE™ technology gives power companies the ability to offer airline miles to their energy-efficient customers.  The company hopes that the award will generate interest from power companies around the world.    

"It's an honor to be selected among the winners in such a prestigious competition" says Holland Wood, Ikehu's CEO and founder. "Soon, utilities will have the ability to use airline miles to guide consumers towards responsible energy use."

The DRIVE™ Mobile App and platform will utilize existing web and smartphone technologies so it can be deployed by virtually any power company.  This patent-pending solution includes a mobile app and related web service that enables power companies to offer mileage-based incentives.   

The U.S. Department of Energy evaluated contest entries based on several criteria including innovation, implementation, and potential impact.  In all, 56 entrants competed for seven prizes.  In addition to the award, the Ikehu team received $6,000 in prize money.  They have also been invited to showcase their technology at an upcoming recognition event in Washington, DC.

"Hawaii is working to become an environment where technology startups can thrive," says Billy Kenoi, Mayor of Hawaii County. "Congratulations to the Ikehu Natural team, and I look forward to their continued success."

"An award from the U.S. Department of Energy is validation that technology startups can launch in Hawaii," adds Karl Fooks, President of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation.  "The recently established Launch Akamai Venture Accelerator (LAVA) Program will help to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and assist startups like Ikehu Natural to quickly grow their businesses and contribute to Hawaii's economy." 

To be notified of when the DRIVE™ Mobile app will be available in your area, sign up at www.ikehu.com.

ABOUT IKEHU NATURAL LLC

Ikehu Natural LLC is a Hawaii-based startup that is focused on clean technology.  "Ikehu" is the Hawaiian word for "energy."  The company has a patent-pending, demand management system that is targeted towards residential customers.  The solution is called the Demand Response Incentive (DRIVE™) System.  The Ikehu team includes Derek Gabriel, Rod Hinman, Matt Ing, and Holland Wood.   

ABOUT THE APPS FOR ENERGY CONTEST

The Apps for Energy Competition was an Energy Department contest aimed at encouraging private sector software development.  The contest fosters innovative applications ("apps") that use data to help utility customers manage their electricity use.  In total, $100,000 in prize money was awarded to seven winners. Winners received a cash prize from DOE and have been invited to Washington, D.C. to be honored at a recognition event and to demonstrate their apps.  For details and a complete list of winners, see http://appsforenergy.challenge.gov

Holland Wood Ikehu Natural LLC, +1.503.803.9194, [email protected]

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SOURCE Ikehu Natural LLC