Ben Whitelam, Director of Data & Metering Services and Commercial at npower Business Solutions
This year will see the start of one of the biggest transformations to the electricity market to date, the Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) reform, which is set to bring greater energy data insight for organisations across the UK.
As well as more granular cost allocation, access to new products, increased innovation, new technologies and flexibility services from energy suppliers, the reform provides an opportunity for businesses to assess whether their current metering arrangements will work best for them in the long term.
However, if metering is something you’re not that familiar with, then it can be difficult to know where to start.
We have created a new guide which answers some of the questions we’re often asked. Here, I look at the three of the most common queries
1. Is it time to make the switch from a traditional to advanced meter?
Generally, there are three meter options most commonly used by business energy consumers – traditional, advanced or Smart meters – although Smart meters are more commonly found on residential or smaller business properties.
So, with MHHS on the horizon, one of the main questions we’re asked is whether it makes sense to switch from a traditional to an advanced or Smart meter now.
The simple answer is, yes. These meters ensure accurate invoicing, so you only pay for the electricity you use. This more granular data can also provide you with a highly detailed and dynamic picture of your energy use, making it easier to track and measure your consumption and associated carbon emissions.
2. What should I look for when choosing a meter operator?
While the option to choose a Meter Operator (MOP) and Data Collector (DC) services provider has always been available, many businesses tend to rely on services that are automatically appointed by their energy supplier, or there is a ‘default’ option of choosing the cheapest provider.
In a new data-led world, it is important that businesses feel empowered to choose a metering partner that meets their specific requirements.
When choosing a data and metering agent, it pays to work with a partner that offers a fully inclusive data and metering service, such as nBS. It is also vital that your partner understands that delivering outstanding performance plays a pivotal role in managing your energy use and supporting your journey to net zero.
3. What should I do with my energy data?
One of the major benefits of having an advanced energy meter in place is the amount of useful energy data it produces.
However, this data is only valuable if a business uses it to take meaningful action.
For example, using an energy data visualisation platform can help you make smarter decisions about your energy strategy.
These platforms can provide easy access to your consumption data via intuitive dashboards, enabling you to run detailed reports, look at consumption forecasts, compare sites and set up alerts if your energy use has exceeded expected levels.
This means you can pinpoint opportunities for energy savings and carbon emissions reduction. They can also help you build the business case for investment in new energy efficiency measures, helping you reduce costs and emissions even further.
Preparing for metering change
This year is a big year for the metering world as the MHHS migration starts. That is why energy metering and monitoring needs to be a priority, and why businesses need to have a greater understanding of which meter is right for them, how to choose a metering partner, and how to optimise their energy data.
You can download our new guide, ‘Data and Metering Services Your Guide to this Business Essential’ here.
