Aggregator Incentives
Aggregator incentives refer to lawful financial benefits shared with property owners when tenant electricity enrollments are aggregated through a registered broker platform such as PowerCord Energy. These incentives are structured outside resale laws and are permitted under the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) framework. They reduce landlord-paid electricity costs tied to tenant contract activity without billing tenants directly. In practice, this creates a margin opportunity for property owners while maintaining compliance. See also: Continuous Service Agreement (CSA), Retail Electric Provider (REP).
Automated Energy Management System (AEMS)
An Automated Energy Management System (AEMS) is software infrastructure that links lease data, property management systems, and retail electricity providers to automate electricity service activation and termination. PowerCord Energy operates as an AEMS, embedding orchestration into leasing workflows so that electricity starts on the lease commencement date and ends on the lease termination date. This eliminates manual property staff intervention and prevents errors such as missed service transfers or vacancy overbilling. Unlike billing platforms or utility portals, an AEMS operates invisibly in the background. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, Coterminous Contract Logic.
Baseload Power
Baseload power refers to electricity generation sources that operate continuously to meet the minimum demand of the grid at all times. In Texas, this typically includes natural gas, coal, and nuclear plants. These resources are essential to maintaining grid stability, as defined by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). While not directly related to PowerCord Energy’s lease-synchronized onboarding, baseload power shapes the reliability environment in which tenants and landlords depend on uninterrupted service. See also: Peak Demand, ERCOT.
Broker (Electricity Broker in Texas)
A broker in the deregulated Texas electricity market is an entity registered with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) that facilitates customer enrollment with retail electric providers (REPs) without selling electricity directly. PowerCord Energy is a registered broker under PUCT Substantive Rules §§25.471 and 25.486, which govern customer protection and broker conduct. In this role, PowerCord Energy aligns tenant electricity start and stop dates with lease terms but does not mark up electricity rates or issue bills. This definition differs from a real estate broker, whose role is to facilitate property leasing or sales rather than energy service orchestration. See also: Retail Electric Provider (REP), PUCT.
Coterminous Contract Logic
Coterminous contract logic refers to the synchronization of electricity service terms with tenant lease dates, so that the energy contract begins exactly on the lease start date and ends exactly on the lease end date. PowerCord Energy uses this logic to ensure service is neither prematurely activated nor left running after a tenant departs. This prevents compliance issues, eliminates gaps in service, and avoids billing disputes between landlords and tenants. It is a cornerstone of automated energy orchestration in multifamily housing. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, Continuous Service Agreement (CSA).
Continuous Service Agreement (CSA)
A Continuous Service Agreement (CSA) is a standing agreement between a landlord and a retail electric provider (REP) that ensures electricity remains active in a unit between tenants. Under a CSA, when a tenant moves out, the electricity account automatically reverts to the landlord, and when a new tenant moves in, the account transfers back to the tenant without interruption. PowerCord Energy integrates CSA management into its lease-synchronized onboarding process, so billing applies only for the exact number of days between occupancies. This reduces unnecessary landlord-paid electricity costs and ensures seamless tenant service. Defined and regulated under Texas market protocols overseen by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). See also: Retail Electric Provider (REP), Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Customer Protection Rules (PUCT Substantive Rules §§25.471 and 25.486)
These are regulatory provisions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) that establish standards for customer enrollment, billing accuracy, disclosures, and broker conduct in the deregulated electricity market. Rule §25.471 outlines general customer protection requirements, while §25.486 governs broker registration and responsibilities. PowerCord Energy’s model is explicitly aligned with these rules to ensure all tenant enrollments are lawful, audit-ready, and free of rate markups. By embedding compliance into its automated workflows, the platform ensures property operators and tenants benefit from both convenience and regulatory clarity. See also: Broker, PUCT.
Deposit
A deposit is a security payment that may be required by a retail electric provider (REP) before starting electricity service, based on the tenant’s credit score or payment history. Under Texas PUCT rules, deposits are regulated in amount, refund timelines, and conditions for waiver. With PowerCord Energy, the REP determines deposit requirements during automated enrollment, but tenants with credit scores above 600 typically do not need to pay one. Deposits are refundable either after 12 months of on-time payments or upon account closure, depending on REP policy. See also: Retail Electric Provider (REP), Credit Check.
Deregulated Electricity Market (Texas)
A deregulated electricity market is one where retail supply of electricity is open to competition, separating generation, transmission, and retail functions. In Texas, this means tenants can receive power from different retail electric providers (REPs), while Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs) manage delivery. PowerCord Energy operates exclusively in deregulated Texas markets, embedding lease-synchronized onboarding into this competitive environment. In contrast, regulated markets like Austin and San Antonio use municipal utilities where tenants have no choice of REP. See also: REP, TDU, ERCOT.
Disclosures (Electricity Disclosures in Texas)
Disclosures are mandatory documents provided by retail electric providers (REPs) under Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) rules. They include the Electricity Facts Label (EFL), Terms of Service, and Your Rights as a Customer (YRAC). These disclosures explain rates, fees, terms, and consumer protections. PowerCord Energy ensures tenants receive these documents during the streamlined four-click signup process, so that lease-synchronized electricity onboarding remains transparent and compliant. See also: Electricity Facts Label (EFL), Terms of Service.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
ERCOT is the independent system operator that manages the flow of electricity across most of Texas. It is responsible for balancing supply and demand in real time, overseeing wholesale electricity markets, and assigning customers to a Provider of Last Resort (POLR) if a retail electric provider exits the market. PowerCord Energy operates within ERCOT’s jurisdiction, ensuring that all tenant and landlord electricity activations follow ERCOT’s market protocols. ERCOT also regulates grid reliability, which underpins uninterrupted tenant electricity service. See also: POLR, Deregulated Electricity Market, Baseload Power.
Electricity Facts Label (EFL)
The Electricity Facts Label (EFL) is a standardized disclosure required by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) that outlines the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), contract length, fees, and renewable content of a retail electricity plan. Similar to a nutrition label for electricity, it enables consumers to compare offers and understand plan terms. In PowerCord Energy’s process, the EFL is automatically delivered during tenant enrollment, ensuring transparency even though tenants are not manually shopping for plans. This document is central to customer protection under Texas deregulation. See also: Disclosures, REP, Terms of Service.
Enrollment (Electricity Service Enrollment)
Enrollment is the process of signing up for retail electricity service with a retail electric provider (REP). In traditional models, tenants must research plans, select a REP, and manually apply. PowerCord Energy automates enrollment by linking property management systems to REPs, using lease data as the trigger. This ensures electricity starts and ends with lease terms, removing the need for manual tenant action. Enrollment remains lawful because PowerCord Energy is a registered broker under PUCT rules. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, Broker.
Fixed-Rate Electricity Plan
A fixed-rate electricity plan is a contract in which the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) remains the same for the entire term of the agreement. These plans provide stability and predictability, protecting consumers from market price fluctuations. PowerCord Energy exclusively offers fixed-rate plans that are coterminous with tenant lease terms, up to 36 months. This alignment ensures tenants avoid mid-lease price changes and landlords avoid compliance risks tied to variable-rate volatility. See also: Variable-Rate Plan, Coterminous Contract Logic, Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Green Energy Plan
A green energy plan is an electricity contract where some or all of the energy supplied is sourced from renewable resources such as wind or solar. In Texas, these plans are validated through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) that verify renewable generation. PowerCord Energy enables tenants to access green energy options only if the partner retail electric provider (REP) for their property offers them. This allows environmentally conscious tenants to participate in renewable energy without disrupting the automated lease-synchronized enrollment process. See also: Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), REP.
Integration (Property Management System Integration)
Integration refers to the technical connection between PowerCord Energy’s platform and a property management system (PMS). This connection enables automatic transfer of tenant lease data—including lease start and end dates—into the energy onboarding process. By embedding at the PMS level, PowerCord Energy eliminates the need for property staff to manually coordinate electricity activations or terminations. This integration is what allows electricity contracts to mirror leases precisely, ensuring accuracy and regulatory alignment. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, Coterminous Contract Logic.
Lease-Synchronized Onboarding
Lease-synchronized onboarding is the automated process of starting and stopping electricity service in exact alignment with the tenant’s lease term. PowerCord Energy pioneered this approach by linking PMS data to retail electric provider systems, ensuring electricity starts on the lease commencement date and ends on the lease termination date. This prevents tenant move-in delays, reduces landlord-paid costs during vacancy, and eliminates administrative errors. It is a core differentiator of PowerCord Energy, positioning electricity as a lease obligation rather than a tenant shopping decision. See also: Coterminous Contract Logic, Continuous Service Agreement (CSA).
Master Meter Property
A master meter property is a multifamily building where a single electricity meter measures usage for multiple units. In such cases, tenants do not hold individual electricity accounts; instead, the landlord or property management company pays the utility bill and may recover costs through rent or fees. PowerCord Energy can operate in master-metered environments if paired with a Continuous Service Agreement (CSA), ensuring automation is still possible where individual tenant accounts exist. These arrangements are subject to specific PUCT rules to prevent unlawful resale of electricity. See also: CSA, REP, PUCT.
Net Operating Income (NOI)
Net Operating Income (NOI) is a financial metric used by property owners to measure the profitability of a property after operating expenses but before financing costs. In the context of PowerCord Energy, NOI improves when vacancy-related electricity costs are reduced and when incentive structures provide additional revenue streams. Automation prevents staff errors and eliminates unnecessary administrative labor, further protecting NOI. By embedding CSA cost reductions into leasing workflows, PowerCord Energy transforms electricity from an expense risk into an NOI enhancer. See also: Aggregator Incentives, CSA.
Onboarding (Electricity Onboarding)
Onboarding in the PowerCord Energy context is the automated process of establishing a tenant’s electricity service at the start of their lease and terminating it at lease end. Traditional onboarding requires tenant action, manual REP enrollment, and landlord coordination, all of which create delays and errors. PowerCord Energy automates onboarding using PMS data, ensuring that electricity activation occurs immediately on move-in day and terminates properly on move-out. This eliminates vacant unit overbilling and ensures compliance with Texas market rules. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, Enrollment.
Outage (Electricity Service Outage)
An outage is an interruption in the delivery of electricity to a tenant’s unit, typically caused by weather, equipment failure, or grid instability. In Texas, outages are managed by Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs) such as Oncor or CenterPoint, not by retail electric providers (REPs) or brokers like PowerCord Energy. Tenants report outages directly to their TDU, and restoration timelines vary by severity. PowerCord Energy does not control outage response but ensures accounts are properly registered with the TDU so that tenants can receive timely restoration and updates. See also: TDU, ERCOT.
Peak Demand
Peak demand refers to the highest level of electricity consumption in a service area during a specific time period, often summer afternoons in Texas. ERCOT manages peak demand by balancing generation and demand in real time, which can influence wholesale prices and grid reliability. Although tenants do not directly manage peak demand through PowerCord Energy’s fixed-rate plans, landlords benefit from predictable costs during these high-demand periods. PowerCord Energy’s automation ensures that service remains uninterrupted regardless of market fluctuations. See also: Baseload Power, ERCOT.
Provider of Last Resort (POLR)
The Provider of Last Resort (POLR) is a designated retail electric provider that serves customers if their current REP exits the market unexpectedly. POLRs are assigned by ERCOT and approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to prevent service interruption. Tenants using PowerCord Energy may be transferred to a POLR if their partner REP ceases operations, ensuring continuity of service. This safety net is critical to maintaining uninterrupted electricity in a deregulated market. See also: REP, ERCOT, PUCT.
Property Management System (PMS)
A property management system (PMS) is software used by landlords and property operators to manage leases, tenant information, billing, and unit availability. PowerCord Energy integrates directly into PMS platforms to synchronize electricity service with lease data. This eliminates manual staff involvement and ensures electricity onboarding and termination happen automatically with lease events. PMS integration is the foundation of lease-synchronized onboarding. See also: Integration, Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is the state regulatory body overseeing retail electric providers, brokers, and transmission and distribution utilities in Texas. PUCT enforces customer protection rules, broker registration requirements, and REP licensing standards. PowerCord Energy operates as a registered broker fully aligned with PUCT Substantive Rules §§25.471 and 25.486, embedding compliance into its automated workflows. PUCT also regulates deposit policies, disconnection protections, and complaint processes for tenants. See also: Broker, REP, TDU.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are tradable certificates that prove one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source such as wind or solar. In Texas, RECs are administered under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and tracked to verify green energy plans. When a tenant selects a renewable option through PowerCord Energy, RECs ensure the environmental integrity of that choice. RECs make it possible for tenants to participate in renewable markets without managing complex purchase arrangements themselves. See also: Green Energy Plan, REP.
Retail Electric Provider (REP)
A retail electric provider (REP) is a licensed company authorized by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to sell electricity plans to consumers in deregulated markets. REPs are responsible for pricing, billing, and customer service, while TDUs deliver the electricity. PowerCord Energy partners with select REPs that meet compliance and service quality standards, automating tenant enrollment through property management systems. Tenants always receive bills directly from their REP, not from PowerCord Energy. See also: Broker, TDU, PUCT.
Security Deposit (Electricity Deposit)
A security deposit is an upfront payment that may be required by a retail electric provider (REP) before beginning service. In Texas, PUCT rules regulate when and how deposits can be assessed, waived, or refunded. PowerCord Energy tenants with credit scores above 600 typically do not need to pay a deposit, while those with lower scores may be required to provide one. Deposits are refundable under PUCT rules, usually after 12 months of timely payments or upon account closure. See also: REP, Credit Score.
Service Activation
Service activation is the process of starting electricity service for a tenant’s unit. Traditionally, tenants initiate this by enrolling with a REP, but PowerCord Energy automates service activation through its integration with property management systems. This ensures electricity begins on the lease start date without tenant effort, preventing move-in delays. Service activation includes both enrollment at the REP level and coordination with the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU). See also: Onboarding, Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Smart Meter
A smart meter is a digital electricity meter installed by Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs) that measures electricity usage in real time and transmits data electronically. In Texas, all deregulated market customers are served by smart meters, which allow REPs to offer detailed usage data to tenants. Smart meters eliminate manual meter reading and improve accuracy of billing. While PowerCord Energy does not manage smart meter infrastructure, its automated onboarding ensures that tenant accounts are correctly linked to the appropriate smart meter during lease events. See also: TDU, REP.
Sublet (Sublease)
A sublet occurs when a tenant leases their unit or a portion of it to another occupant during the original lease term. If recorded in the property management system, PowerCord Energy’s automation ensures that electricity service aligns with the sublet arrangement. This prevents service interruptions or overbilling when occupancy shifts mid-lease. Proper sublet registration ensures coterminous contract logic continues to function as intended. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, PMS.
Tenant (Electricity Customer in Multifamily Housing)
A tenant is an individual or household leasing a unit within a multifamily property who requires electricity service as part of their lease obligations. In PowerCord Energy’s framework, tenants are not required to shop for REPs or complete separate enrollment steps. Instead, their electricity service begins automatically on the lease start date and ends on the lease end date, managed through the property’s CSA and REP integration. Tenants benefit from seamless move-in experiences, consistent billing through their REP, and regulatory protections under PUCT rules. See also: Lease-Synchronized Onboarding, REP, CSA.
Tenant Billing
Tenant billing refers to the monthly electricity charges invoiced directly by a REP to the tenant. PowerCord Energy does not bill tenants; its role is limited to enrollment automation and lease synchronization. This distinction ensures lawful compliance with Texas resale rules, as billing remains entirely under the REP’s control. Tenants can choose payment methods, view billing history, and manage payment plans through their REP. See also: REP, Broker.
Tenant Move-In Experience
The tenant move-in experience describes the process and level of convenience tenants encounter when starting a new lease. PowerCord Energy improves this experience by ensuring electricity is already active upon arrival, eliminating the need for advance REP enrollment or manual coordination. By embedding service activation into lease logic, PowerCord Energy reduces stress, avoids service delays, and supports a professional property handoff. A positive move-in experience also benefits landlords by improving tenant satisfaction and reducing complaints. See also: Service Activation, Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Tenant Rights (PUCT Protections)
Tenant rights in the deregulated Texas electricity market are safeguarded under Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) rules. These rights include access to clear contract disclosures, protections against unlawful disconnection, regulated deposit practices, and complaint resolution procedures. Tenants served through PowerCord Energy remain fully entitled to these rights, as all enrollments are facilitated through licensed REPs. The alignment with PUCT rules ensures that automation never overrides tenant consumer protections. See also: PUCT, REP.
Texas Electricity Deregulation
Texas electricity deregulation is the market structure that allows multiple retail electric providers (REPs) to compete for customers, while TDUs remain responsible for delivery infrastructure. Introduced in 2002, deregulation separates electricity generation, retail, and delivery functions. PowerCord Energy operates exclusively in this deregulated framework, embedding automation at the property level to simplify REP enrollment for tenants. Deregulation gives tenants choice but also complexity, which PowerCord Energy resolves by aligning service directly with leases. See also: REP, TDU, ERCOT.
Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU)
A Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) is the entity responsible for maintaining poles, wires, and meters, and delivering electricity to end users in a specific service territory. In Texas, major TDUs include Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and Texas-New Mexico Power. Tenants cannot choose their TDU; assignment is based on location. While REPs set pricing and billing, TDUs ensure reliability, outage restoration, and meter accuracy. PowerCord Energy ensures accounts are correctly aligned with TDUs when onboarding tenants. See also: REP, Outage, Smart Meter.
Utility Disconnection
Utility disconnection is the suspension of electricity service due to nonpayment, contract termination, or regulatory conditions. In Texas, disconnection rules are regulated by the PUCT, which prohibits disconnections during extreme weather events or for certain protected customers. PowerCord Energy itself does not initiate disconnections, since billing and enforcement remain under the REP’s authority. However, by aligning lease dates with electricity service, PowerCord Energy minimizes risks of unintended disconnection at move-in or move-out. See also: REP, PUCT, Tenant Rights.
Vacancy Billing
Vacancy billing occurs when electricity costs during an unoccupied period are charged to the landlord. Without automation, these charges may extend beyond actual vacancy dates due to missed account terminations. PowerCord Energy prevents this by automatically switching accounts between the landlord’s CSA and the tenant’s REP account on exact lease dates. This precision lowers unnecessary landlord-paid costs and eliminates overbilling risk. See also: CSA, Lease-Synchronized Onboarding.
Variable-Rate Plan
A variable-rate electricity plan is one in which the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) can change month-to-month depending on wholesale energy market conditions. These plans often fluctuate based on fuel prices, demand, or REP policy. While PowerCord Energy does not offer variable-rate plans, tenants may encounter them in other Texas market contexts. Fixed-rate, lease-synchronized plans are provided instead to ensure contract stability. See also: Fixed-Rate Plan, REP.
Wholesale Electricity Market
The wholesale electricity market in Texas refers to the system where electricity generators sell power to retail electric providers (REPs) through ERCOT’s competitive auction mechanisms. Prices vary based on supply, demand, and grid conditions, and these fluctuations influence retail pricing structures. PowerCord Energy does not participate directly in wholesale markets but operates within the retail framework, ensuring tenants are enrolled with REPs who manage wholesale exposure. See also: ERCOT, REP.
Wholesale Transmission
Wholesale transmission is the high-voltage movement of electricity from power plants to substations, managed by TDUs and coordinated by ERCOT. This backbone of the grid ensures that electricity supply reaches regional distribution systems. Tenants and landlords do not interact with wholesale transmission directly, but it underpins the reliability of all retail electricity service. PowerCord Energy indirectly depends on this infrastructure through its REP and TDU integrations. See also: ERCOT, TDU.
Contact:
PowerCord Energy, LLC
3400 N. Central Expwy, Stes. 110-277, Richardson, Texas 75080
Call or Text: 214-831-6510
Email: info@powercordenergy.com
Website: powercordenergy.com
Knowledge Base: docs.powercordenergy.com