Notice

Non-Domestic Smarter Tariff Comparisons Programme: Phases 2 and 3 projects

Updated 1 March 2024

Following a competitive Down-Selection process, 2 projects from Phase 1 were selected to advance to Phase 2 / 3 of the Non-Domestic Smarter Tariff Comparisons Innovation Programme.

Phase 2 and 3 is up to 13 months long and will see projects develop, demonstrate and test their prototype tool (Alpha / Beta) using actual smart meter energy consumption data (with appropriate user verification and consent) along with simple and complex tariff type structures. Projects will also integrate continuous feedback from regular end-using testing and wider industry engagement. It is anticipated that the prototype tool will be ideally ready (or near ready) for commercialisation by end of project.

Tariff Tribe: Bundled Business Led Tariffs 

Lead:  Future Energy Associates Ltd
Phase 2 and 3 project costs:  £453,982.49
Location: London 

Project summary (as supplied by the project)

‘Tariff Tribe: Bundled Business Led Tariffs’ represents an innovative solution designed to revolutionise the energy procurement process for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Great Britain. This cutting-edge platform will harness collective bargaining power and optimise bundling strategies to facilitate competitive pricing, fostering a transparent marketplace for pioneering tariff structures.

The project will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of a software platform that seamlessly connects SMEs with energy suppliers. Leveraging SMEs’ smart meter energy consumption patterns (following user verification and consent), the platform will generate optimised bundles of businesses, providing suppliers with the foundation to offer bespoke tariffs, thereby encouraging the adoption of Time of Use tariffs and other inventive energy solutions.  

This platform holds the potential to deliver substantial advantages to SMEs by establishing an efficient and transparent marketplace for energy. Furthermore, the platform actively promotes time­-of-­use bidding by suppliers, aiming to concurrently reduce costs and the carbon intensity of energy supply. The multifaceted benefits of the platform, especially in enhancing market efficiency and reducing costs for SMEs, highlight its capacity to curtail bills with a relatively low implementation cost. 

Future Energy Associates bridges the gap between innovative research and the energy industry by building cutting-edge software and data solutions for the energy transition. Our product catalogue empowers companies to seamlessly integrate sustainable, high-impact technologies that combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst delivering high returns on investment. 

FAST (Flexibility for AMR and Smart meters via Tariffs - ToU and bundled) 

Lead:  Hildebrand Technology Ltd Sub-contractors: davies+mckerr, SE2 Ltd, Working Research Ltd
Phase 2 and 3 project costs:  £549,232.27
Location: London 

Project summary (as supplied by the project)

Project FAST (Flexibility for AMR and Smart meters via Tariffs - ToU and bundled) builds on proven functionality from the previous Smarter Tariffs Smarter Comparison (STSC) tool. STSC (built by project lead Hildebrand) solved the critical technical challenge of using smart meter data to present complex tariff options and / or Low Carbon Technology (LCT) investment to domestic customers. STSC captures smart meter data (following user verification and consent) and makes tariff comparisons allowing customers to input their key criteria (price, customer service, or green energy) to determine the supplier / tariff that suits their needs. 

Hildebrand has been a leader in the energy space since 2005, with an energy database that houses over 220 billion energy readings. Hildebrand have a strong reputation within the energy sector; they’ve participated in research projects to support innovation and the drive to net zero, exploring opportunities for transformation which they then translate to commercial services like the Bright app and glowmarkt.com. 

Project FAST extends STSC to address non-­domestic market transformation challenges, focusing on supporting flexibility from SME customers and reforming markets to reward flexibility. The proposal is to develop a smart contract exchange between buyers (energy consumers) and sellers (suppliers and brokers) using a private blockchain. 

Additional features added to STSC will include the addition of AMR data, scalable non­domestic user verification meeting SEC requirements for SMETS data access, integration with credit score, allowing consumers / brokers / suppliers to upload their tariffs, capture of additional relevant data, introduction to LCT options when relevant and anonymous publication of consumer provided tariffs in context of sector, credit score, and location. 

The solution will be developed and tested with consumers, brokers / suppliers and local authorities to support feedback-based iterative development cycles through alpha and beta phases.  

Project subcontractors will provide research and reporting on end users’, consumers and brokers’ / suppliers’ requirements and feedback. Specialist research agency davies+mckerr will conduct qualitative research with energy consumers capturing their feedback on the FAST platform as it iterates to launch. 

SE2, a research and policy consultancy, will work with public sector organisations to establish their needs from FAST and explore how their broader role as both SME supporter and commercial landlord aligns with the solution. They’ll also investigate the role of local authorities in promoting LCTs within small businesses. Working Research will provide insight on how to reach SMEs in novel ways.