NEWS
WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION LAUNCHES INDUSTRY’S FIRST BETA CONNECTED DATA PORTAL
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estern Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distribution network operator (DNO) for the Midlands, South West and South Wales, has launched its Beta Connected Data Portal. This makes WPD the first DNO to make its data open to access through a centralised, easy to use platform. The new system acts as an online data catalogue, presenting data in a consistent format to optimise its use, value and benefit. The new Beta Connected Data Portal offers open access to a wealth of data across WPD’s network, providing information about energy consumption, generation and network loads in a consistent, standardised and easily understandable way. The data can be accessed by a range of users from academics to businesses, governments both devolved and central, local authorities and local stakeholders and customers. When accessing the portal, users will be able to
investigate and interrogate the data, building interactive graphs and network maps, all without needing to download. The platform’s in-built functions allow for more readily available and faster access. The Portal also incorporates Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which enable users to automate the gathering and processing of datasets to support their business needs. WPD believes the Beta Connected Data Portal will help stakeholders to get a better understanding of their local and regional energy system, supporting a new generation of energy technology innovators to develop smart solutions to the UK’s energy challenges. For example, raw data extracted from the Beta Connected Data Portal could be used to support community apps, informing energy customers of the best times to charge their electric vehicle when energy consumption and tariffs are low. Alternatively, the standardised open
data could help local authorities to plan efficiently for new low carbon infrastructure, like distributed solar or wind generation and energy storage, in areas with limited network capacity. Finally, the data will prove invaluable to academics, providing consistent energy data to aid research. WPD hopes to set the industry standard, eventually enabling all energy network data from across the UK’s gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks to be easily accessed and understood. The portal can be found at https:// connecteddata.westernpower.co.uk/ To ensure that users are getting the most out of the platform, WPD has introduced a registration and subscription function allowing them to follow specific datasets and be kept up to date on new data tranches as they become available. As the portal develops further and WPD continues to standardise its data, new sets will be added.
WATER COMPANIES’ APPS WAY OFF EXPECTATIONS OF GEN Z DIGITAL NATIVES Whilst 36% prefer to use an app to manage their essential services, only 25% do.
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ater companies must improve their mobile applications and strategies in order to engage the next generation of water bill payers, according to a new report. Research into the attitudes and habits of the digital native Generation Z, commissioned by Echo Managed Services, and published in A New Wave of Customers report found that while more than a third (36%) of those yet to become bill payers say they would prefer use an app to manage their essential services, only 25% of Gen Z bill payers actually do. Water companies’ apps are therefore not meeting the expectations of, or the company hasn’t communicated them well enough to, one in 10 (11%) of its customers. Reducing this gap is important in light of research which shows that mobile is Gen Z’s channel of choice, over PC or laptop, for all online activities. The Institute of Customer Service’s UKCSI in January 2021 found that app usage in the water sector was also below the level of that in the energy sector – 1.4% of water customers said an app was their most recent point of contact vs 4.5% of energy customers. For context, the same UKCSI
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figures show that 12.7% of all banking customer experiences were conducted via an app – the highest of any sector. Vicki Dixon, head of operations at Echo Managed Services, commented: “It is important that water companies continue to develop their digital platforms to meet the needs and expectations of the latest generation of billpayers. Currently there is a gap between those that want to use apps to manage payments and meter reading submissions, and those that do. “To make the time and investment in a mobile app worthwhile, water companies must create an easyto-use interface that is easy to navigate and use across different devices. It must also present a clear purpose and clear engagement opportunity, in order to enable a meaningful and effortless experience for customers. When built well, apps can build enhanced recognition and improve customer engagement. The key challenge to overcome
ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE • APRIL 2021
when creating an app is keeping customers engaged, currently there is little need to interact regularly with a water company. It must be personally relevant and useful beyond meter readings and billing. The UKCSI figures have also highlighted that, where customers use an app to interact in the banking sector, a higher than average customer satisfaction score was given. For more information about Echo Managed Services, and to read its Generation Z Report: A new wave of customers for water companies in full, visit: https://www.echo-ms.com/knowledgecentre/research-resources/a-new-waveof-customers-consumer-research-report
