Green Button is a new standardized way to download or connect energy-usage data to provide more choice in how energy consumers can access and analyze energy data with the goal of better tracking energy use, reducing their bills and saving money.
Green Button Download My Data (DMD) enables electricity users to download their usage data from a third-party energy service provider’s website in an industry-standard data format.
Connect My Data (CMD) will allow electricity customers to authorize the secure and direct transfer of energy usage data to third party service providers that can assist them with managing their energy usage.
Green Button DMD and CMD can help you:
Better understand your energy usage
Choose which electricity price plan works best for your home or business
Track and analyze your energy use so that you can conserve or shift your usage
Make informed decisions about energy efficiency upgrades
Watch this short video to see how it works!
Green Button Download My Data (DMD)
Electricity usage data can be downloaded directly from the Greater Sudbury Hydro’s Green Button Portal. Enter the required account information to validate that you are the account owner (please have a recent bill handy). Select the DMD tab, select the data you would like to download. A file containing your selected data will download in an industry standard format which can then be shared with a third-party provider or uploaded to the Green Button app to view.
Please note: The downloaded XML files are designed to be read and analyzed by computer applications, not humans.
Green Button Connect My Data (CMD) is a way for electricity consumers to securely authorize the sharing of energy data to registered third-party providers. With CMD, electricity consumers can gain ongoing additional insights into managing and conserving electricity consumption by sharing their data with energy-efficiency applications, clean energy companies, analytics firms, and others who can view and analyze the data.
To initiate CMD (data sharing), visit the third-party vendor’s website of your choice. Once there, go to the authorized third-party vendor’s Green Button registration web page and complete the data sharing authorization request form. Next, you will be redirected to Greater Sudbury Hydro’s Green Button portal to authenticate, verify the data sharing information, review the terms and conditions, and authorize data sharing. Greater Sudbury Hydro will then exchange a security token with the authorized third-party vendor which will allow secure, automated data sharing.
Please note: We currently have no registered third-party vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Green Button data?
Green Button is a government mandated data standard that provides energy customers with more choice in how you access your electricity data. Through a simple and secure process, customers will be able to securely download (access) or connect (share) their energy usage data in an industry-standard format with registered third parties.
What are the benefits of Green Button data for electricity consumers?
The introduction of Green Button industry-standard data across Ontario utilities will provide the foundation for the development of new tools and applications for customers to analyze and monitor their energy usage to reduce costs.
Below are a few of the benefits of Green Button data:
• Improve energy efficiency – Use Green Button data to identify and compare energy usage in order to improve energy-efficiency within their home or business.
• Reduce energy costs - Learn your usage patterns and habits, to make informed choices about how much electricity you use and when to use it. For example: Using energy during off-peak hours (also known as peak-shaving) and investing in energy-efficient appliances, saves money and can help reduce strain on the grid.
• Energy conservation – you can use your data to conserve energy, helping to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.
What are the benefits of Green Button data for Businesses?
• For customers with a large number of properties across multiple utilities, Green Button provides a standardized format so that the data they receive from each utility is in a similar format. Green Button third parties in the commercial sector are able to analyze large volumes of data across multiple facilities to provide energy management advice.
• With Connect My Data, data is shared on an ongoing basis. This allows third parties to provide insights and alerts on usage trends and changes including monitoring the impact of energy efficiency measures taken.
• Green Button will also make it easier for facilities to complete mandatory government reporting requirements.
Who can connect (share) their data?
Any active Greater Sudbury Hydro customer can use Connect My Data to authorize third-party data sharing.
Can I still use Connect My Data if I don’t have a Greater Sudbury Hydro MyAccount?
Yes, while it is highly encouraged that customers create a MyAccount login, you can still Connect My Data from authorized third-party vendor websites and using a one-time access sign in to the Green Button portal.
What third party vendors can I share my data with?
Data can be shared with authorized third-party vendors that have registered with and been authorized by Greater Sudbury Hydro to use Connect My Data. Below is a list of third-party vendors currently registered with Greater Sudbury Hydro:
- We currently have no registered third-party vendors.
What data is shared with the authorized third-party vendor(s)?
When authorizing a third-party vendor to access your data, you will select the type of data you want to share with them and for which account (if you have multiple accounts). You can select your Energy Usage Data, Billing Data and/or Account Information to be shared. Your utility provider will share the type of data you have selected and authorized for that account.
How long will my data be shared with an authorized third-party vendor?
When authorizing a third-party vendor to access your data, you select the duration and frequency that you would like to share your data for.
Can I stop sharing my data with a third-party vendor?
Yes, you can stop sharing your data with a third-party vendor at any time. To do so, simply go to the Data Shares tab within the Green Button portal, select the vendor you would like to stop sharing your data with, and click Revoke.
How do I know my data is secure?
Greater Sudbury Hydro has been certified by the Green Button Alliance. This is the industry standard to ensure compliance with data sharing and security standards.
Third Party vendors must also be certified by the Green Button Alliance to be authorized as a registered vendor.
Before you authorize a third-party vendor, be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions on their website so that you understand how they will use, share or retain your data.
Where can I find more information on Green Button data?
Third Parties who wish to be registered and onboarded onto the Green Button Platform to be showcased as an available application in our Green Button marketplace will be required to submit a registration form. Agreement to the Terms & Conditions to initiate the approval process is required. Once submitted, our team will be in touch with the next steps.
We look forward to connecting customers with what you have to offer!
