Metering
Different metering options and arrangements are available to you at a commercial level, and can
often be overlooked as a further way of making cost savings for your business.
TheEnergyBrokers can review and help your organisation make cost savings in the following
areas:
AMR: Smart Metering
Volatile energy prices and new environmental directives continue to present challenges for businesses and
the need to monitor and manage energy performance has become a critical factor in controlling costs.
Any company who is serious about reducing their energy consumption will need to understand exactly how and
when they are using energy throughout the day.
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology delivers remote data via a communication link similar to that used
in mobile phones. This allows for accurate usage information to be collected automatically each month for
billing and there will also be an opportunity to access more frequent data which can be used for energy management.
The delivery of accurate usage data can offer a raft of benefits for your non half-hourly and gas portfolios.
Getting real usage means:
- You will receive accurate billing and the elimination of costly estimates
- You will receive accurate feedback about your consumption
- You can be proactive about managing your bills and your costs
With the onset of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC-EES), there is now even
more incentive for qualifying organisations to look at the benefits of installing AMR.
We can provide guidance on suitable requirements, undertake a feasibility study for your estate and can
tender and negotiate to find the right provider for your needs.
We can also ensure that you can access your data in a user-friendly format through our
Online Reporting systems.
MOP (Meter Operator) Agreements
It is a mandatory requirement for all electricity supplies with a maximum demand in excess of 100kVa to
have half hourly metering installed. Whilst energy purchasers are well aware that they have a choice of
their preferred energy supplier, it is less well known that meter operating (MOP) agreements are open to
competitive tendering as well.
Costs can vary significantly between meter operators and we therefore can assist you with finding the
most cost effective solution to suit your business requirements. Our service also includes giving
consideration as to whether to purchase or lease the meters, as well as giving consideration to communications
links and lead times in meter installations.
Data Collection (DC) & Data Aggregation (DA) Agreements
You may be aware that Data Collection and Data Aggregation (DC/DA) charges - sometimes referred to as settlement
charges - form part of your half-hourly electricity supply bill.
These costs vary from supplier to supplier and are usually between £200 to £350 per annum. The DC/DA will be
chosen and appointed by your electricity supplier unless you instruct them of your chosen provider.
Many organisations are not aware that it is possible to choose your own DC/DA and depending on current arrangements
can save between 10 and 50% on the cost of this service.
What is the role of a Half Hourly Data Collector (DC) and Data Aggregator (DA)?
The Data Collector (DC) is an organisation accredited to carry out Data Collection for half-hourly metering systems.
The DC is appointed by the Supplier to retrieve and validate metering data and forward it to the Data Aggregator.
The DC may be appointed by the customer but must always be accredited and contracted to the customer's Supplier.
The Data Aggregator (DA) is an organisation accredited to carry out Data Aggregation for half-hourly metering data. The
DA is appointed by the Supplier to aggregate consumption from half-hourly Data Collector(s) so that this can be validated
and used for billing.
It is normal that the data collector and data aggregator are the same company, but this is not essential.
Advantages of choosing your own DC/DA
There are a number of benefits of choosing your own DC or DA:
- Lower cost (up to 50% saving)
- Access to 'day plus one' data via online energy monitoring system
- Raw half-hourly data to support Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC-EES)
- Graphical analysis of half-hourly data for energy management information at additional cost
- 5 year contract with competition clause after year 3
- Continuity of data and service provider even if you change energy supplier
Contact Us >