2 Getting Started with Data Extracts

Data extracts are data files delivered by Oracle Utilities Opower to a utility or third-party for analysis and reporting. The extracts contain detailed information about utility customers and Oracle Utilities Opower program features, such as customer engagement and outbound communications, or data necessary for third-party evaluation and verification of energy savings. The extracts are intended for utility program managers who want to track the health of their Oracle Utilities Opower program.

Data extract files are transferred to a Secure File Transfer Protocol site where they can be downloaded and consumed. See Data Extract File Transfer for more information.

Data Extract File Transfer

Oracle Utilities Opower delivers data extract files to utilities using a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site. The SFTP site is established when you Contact Your Delivery Team at the beginning of your program.

File Format: The file format and file naming conventions of each data extract vary. See the following topics for details.

File Encryption: For enhanced security, a utility may provide Oracle Utilities Opower with a Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) public key to be used to encrypt data extract files prior to transfer.

Keys should use the RSA algorithm with a minimum size of 2048 bits, although 4096-bit keys are preferred. A two-year expiration for the keys is recommended. If an expiration date is set, be sure to communicate the date when you Contact Your Delivery Team, and to have a process in place to provide a new key three months before the expiration date.

File Retention: Files stored on the Oracle Utilities SFTP site adhere to a standard file retention policy. See File Retention Policy for more information.

File Retention Policy

According to the retention policy described in the Oracle Cloud Hosting and Delivery Policies document (which can be found online at Oracle Cloud Services), all incoming and outgoing files added to the Oracle Utilities Opower SFTP server will be retained for a maximum of 60 days. After this time period, they will be automatically deleted. Copies of files added to the SFTP server are stored in a file archive until the termination of the contract.

For utilities in the European Union, files are retained for a maximum of 30 days in both the SFTP server and the file archive. After this period the files are deleted.