|
Direct Energy is a North American retailer of energy and energy services. The company was founded in 1986. The company has more than six million customers in Canada and the United States, making it the largest energy retailer in North America. Direct Energy is a subsidiary of UK-based utility company Centrica.〔Stockhouse, "Great Plains Energy, Inc. Q1 2008 Earnings Call Transcript." 5/9/2008〕 ==History== Direct Energy was founded in Toronto in 1986, as a competitive energy retailer. In 2000, the company was acquired by Centrica, the UK-based parent of British energy retailer British Gas. From 2000 onwards, Direct Energy grew rapidly through acquisition. These acquisitions included Energy America (2000),〔Byfield, Mike. (“Wes Moringstar: Direct Energy Thrives on 40 Mcf Wells.” ) DOB Magazine. April 2008〕 Enbridge Home Services (2002),〔Ottawa Citizen. “Centrica Buys Enbridge retail unit for $1 billion.” The Canadian Press. 29 January 2002〕 AEP’s Texas retail operations (Central Power and Light and West Texas Utility), the regulated retail operations of ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric in Alberta, Entergy Solutions Ltd.’s Electric Reliability Council of Texas customer base and Strategic Energy (2008). In the area of energy services, Direct Energy acquired Luced Heating Contractors, BASE Controls Ltd., MABE Canada Inc.’s in-home service repair division, and the Residential Services Group. In 2010, Direct Energy acquired Clockwork Home Services making Direct Energy the largest energy and home services retailer in North America . Clockwork has three brands:, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and (Mister Sparky ), which specialize in plumbing, electrical and air-conditioning and heating and services, all of which have earned the Diamond Certified Award for excellent service. 〔"One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning has passed all rating steps and has earned (The Diamond Certified Award )"〕〔"Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has passed all rating steps and has earned (The Diamond Certified Award )"〕〔"Mister Sparky has passed all rating steps and has earned (The Diamond Certified Award )"〕 Direct Energy acquired a number of upstream assets, including gas reserves and power generation facilities. These include: Quintana Minerals Resources, Bastrop Energy Center, Frontera Energy Center, Paris Energy Center, and Rockyview Energy Inc. Direct Energy has entered into long-term power purchase agreements for 813 MW of electricity from five wind farms in Texas. Direct Energy owns and operates approximately 4,600 natural gas wells in Alberta, most recently acquiring natural gas assets from Suncor Energy and Shell Canada. The company ’s new strategy calls for increased investment in North America, specifically to grow its upstream asset cover to 35-40%; it also plans to grow its downstream businesses in its core markets of Texas, US North East and Canada.〔Direct Energy Business LLC sources〕 Chris Weston became President & CEO of Direct Energy on July 1, 2009 following the retirement of Deryk King. Direct Energy announced in January 2012 that it will move its corporate headquarters from Toronto to Houston within the next 12 to 18 months. The headquarters will be in the Greenway Plaza location where the company's residential energy and upstream business are now based.〔Direct Energy Business LLC sources〕 In 2012, Iberdrola USA sold its energy services companies, Energetix and NYSEG Solutions, to Direct Energy.〔Direct Energy Business LLC sources〕 In 2013, Direct Energy made one of its biggest acquisition to date by purchasing Hess Energy Marketing for $1.03 Billion. In early 2014, Direct Energy partnered with Nest Labs to create a plan that would include a smart thermostat. The Nest smart thermostat will increase home owners and renters ability to monitor the temperature of their homes for increased energy efficiency.〔("Nest Partners With Direct Energy to Offer Smart Home Utility Service Package" )〕 In August 2014, Direct Energy increased their ability to provide services that increase the efficiency of the American and Canadian home when its announced its partnership with SmartThings.〔("Direct Energy Partners with SmartThings to Bring Smart Home to Energy Customers" )〕 A SmartThing's Hub allows the user to connect with smart device, secure the home with sensors, and control certain electrical devices. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Direct Energy」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|