• DATA
  • COST
  • LOGIC
  • HUMAN

How to compare industrial utility rates with your AI

Connect OpenEI to your AI client to pull real-time rate data for site selection. Once connected, your agent handles the heavy lifting of comparing complex industrial tariffs.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How do I compare industrial utility rates with my AI?

Your AI pulls specific rate schedules and demand charge structures from different utility providers. It then calculates the total cost of service for your specific load profiles across multiple territories. You get a side-by-side comparison of per-kWh and demand costs.

The results of your analysis

Where your data lands

Your agent turns raw utility data into actionable site selection intelligence.

DATA

Territory rate maps

The AI identifies all available utilities in a region and pulls their specific industrial rate schedules.

COST

Demand charge breakdown

You get a clear view of how peak demand charges impact your bottom line in different service areas.

LOGIC

Load profile modeling

Your agent applies your specific energy usage patterns to the fetched rate data to predict actual monthly bills.

HUMAN

Final site selection

The AI presents the cost differences, but you make the final decision based on non-electrical factors like logistics or labor.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI uses specialized tools to bridge the gap between your questions and utility databases.

  1. Identify providers

    The agent finds all relevant utility companies within your target geographic area.

    list_utilities

  2. Fetch rate schedules

    The AI pulls the specific industrial rate details for the selected utilities.

    get_utility_detail

  3. Extract cost data

    The agent pulls the exact per-kWh and demand charge values needed for your math.

    get_industrial_rates

  4. Compare and summarize

    The AI organizes the data into a comparison format that highlights the cheapest territories for your load.

    get_industrial_rates

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to kick off your analysis.

Starting points

Replace the bracketed locations and load types with your actual project details.

OpenEI Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_ahsqEDVif8a3sRKccnemtAEljvD6ot9vRSViUUpg/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — OpenEI capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openei-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_ahsqEDVif8a3sRKccnemtAEljvD6ot9vRSViUUpg/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • List all the utilities available in the state of Ohio.

  • Get the industrial rate details for the Duke Energy territory in North Carolina.

  • Compare the demand charges and per-kWh costs for the top three utilities in Texas for a 5MW load.

  • Which utility in the Pacific Northwest has the lowest demand charge for heavy industrial users?

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect OpenEI once, then ask.

One click connects this MCP to your preferred AI client. Your credentials stay encrypted and secure, and you can start asking questions immediately.

Connect OpenEI to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI negotiate rates with the utility company?

    No. The AI only retrieves existing published rate data; it cannot contact utilities or negotiate contracts.

  • 02

    Does the AI update the utility's website?

    No. The AI is read-only. It pulls data from the utilities but cannot change any external information.

  • 03

    Can I use this for residential rates?

    No. This specific connector is built for industrial rate structures and demand charges.

  • 04

    How does the AI handle different load profiles?

    You provide your load profile in the prompt, and the AI uses the fetched rate data to calculate the costs.

  • 05

    Can the AI predict future rate hikes?

    No. It only provides the current rates available through the toolset.

  • More questions about OpenEI? The Connector page answers them. See everything the OpenEI Connector can do

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