Overview

In this project, Data Energy was brought in early to provide expertise on the heat network system for a large residential development of 765 apartments. The development was completed in phases, and as of now, 645 apartments are set up and billing.

The Challenges

Early Involvement (2019)
From the initial stages in 2019, Data Energy contributed to the metering strategy by attending meetings with the developers and heat network designers. This proactive engagement ensured that the metering system would be aligned with the overall design and operational goals of the heat network.

Addressing Legalities and Social Housing
Later in the project, Data Energy participated in discussions around the legalities of heat supply for social housing units, specifically focusing on how to recover costs from subtenants. Data Energy provided an example Heat Supply Agreement, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and providing guidance to protect the interests of all parties involved.

Heat Network Handover Audit and Tariff Modelling
In 2022, we conducted a heat network handover audit and a tariff modelling exercise. This process involved deep collaboration with the developer, M&E contractors, and heat network designers. Several key issues were identified during the audit, and through in-depth meetings, actionable changes were made.

Improved Network Performance
One of the most significant improvements included adjusting the size of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine, a modification that aligned the system with the planning conditions and improved the overall network performance. These changes were expected to:

• • Reduce overall costs for residents

  • Minimise energy waste

Ongoing Support and Energy Conservation
In 2023, Data Energy continued its support by completing a follow-up audit. This time, the focus shifted to Energy Conservation Measures, further refining the heat network for greater efficiency.

Metering Data and Management Coordination
We collaborated with contractors to bring the metering data online, enhancing visibility and management of energy usage. In addition, we held monthly meetings with the developer and managing agent to discuss any ongoing issues, including metering, debt collection, and other operational challenges.

Financial and Tariff Management
Data Energy has been responsible for conducting annual tariff reviews and completing a full financial reconciliation to ensure that the heat network remains cost-effective for both residents and the development.

Debt Collection Service Implementation
Recently, we implemented an enhanced debt collection service, working directly with debt collectors to recover outstanding debts. This system bypasses the managing agent, saving them time and hassle while ensuring timely recovery of unpaid bills.

The Results

• Optimised Heat Network performance: System adjustments have led to reduced energy waste and cost saving for residents.

• Steamlined Debt Collection: An enhanced service has improved debt recovery, minimising the involvement of the managing agent.

• Ongoing Efficiency Improvements: Energy conservation measures continue to improve the system’s efficiency, benefiting all stakeholders.

This comprehensice enagagement highlights the importance of early involvement, thorough audits and continuous support in ensuring the long-term success of heat networks for large residential developments.

The Impact

Our involvement allowed the client and managing agents to focus on their core responsibilities, knowing that the situation was being handled with integrity and attention to detail. By taking full ownership of the supplier communication and overseeing every step of the resolution, we minimised the burden on the client and ensured a smooth, transparent process.

Thanks to our relentless commitment to service and transparency, we resolved the issue without unnecessary stress on the client. In recognition of our efforts, we were proud to receive a 5-star review from the property manager—a testament to our dedication and the trust we build with our clients.

Overview

Here’s how we found it.

The Challenge

According to EDF, the client’s account held a credit of £17,395.18. But from our preliminary checks, this figure didn’t reconcile with the payment history — raising concerns that the true credit could be much higher.

Our Solution

When the promised refund didn’t arrive, we escalated the matter, persistently chasing EDF for accurate SOAs and challenging inconsistencies in their data. Meanwhile, the client raised further concerns that a duplicate payment had been made — suggesting the true credit could be more than double what EDF had acknowledged.

Rather than relying on conflicting figures, we committed to a line-by-line forensic reconciliation of the account. This detailed review allowed us to identify duplicate payments, trace mismatches between EDF’s portal and their internal records, and build an accurate picture of the balance owed.

The Outcome

Throughout the process, we kept the client fully informed with clear updates and timely escalations, giving them confidence that the issue was being resolved in their best interests.

This case highlights the value of our procurement support:

• Cutting through supplier errors and confusing systems
• Protecting clients from costly mistakes
• Delivering tangible financial results

Overview

In March 2023, we were approached by the property manager of The Navigator to resolve a complex issue with their communal gas meter. The meter, which serves a heat network for 33 apartments, had been registered under the wrong supply address, causing billing errors. Total Energies, the supplier, had been invoicing based on outdated meter data from a serial number that had been upgraded in June 2022.

The property manager turned to us, Data Energy, to take control of the situation, correct the information, and liaise with the supplier to ensure accurate billing moving forward.

The Challenge

The property manager needed us to work directly with the energy supplier to update the supply address and correct the meter serial number on their billing system, ensuring the client could settle their accounts accurately.

This required a high level of precision, consistent communication, and, above all, transparency to resolve the issue swiftly and without any further disruptions.

The Result

Our client’s dedicated energy manager took a proactive approach, liaising between the supplier, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), and the client. It was crucial that every piece of data provided to these parties was accurate to facilitate the necessary changes.

Throughout the process, we maintained open and clear communication, logging over 100 emails and numerous calls with the supplier and the client, while also utilising online chats to ensure no stone was left unturned. Multiple site visits were organised to verify the accuracy of the data. When the supplier failed to act on several occasions, we took the initiative to raise a formal complaint, advocating on behalf of the client to hold the supplier accountable.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, by January 2024 we had successfully resolved the issues, ensuring the supplier billed on the correct data moving forward.

The Impact

Our involvement allowed the client and managing agents to focus on their core responsibilities, knowing that the situation was being handled with integrity and attention to detail. By taking full ownership of the supplier communication and overseeing every step of the resolution, we minimised the burden on the client and ensured a smooth, transparent process.

Thanks to our relentless commitment to service and transparency, we resolved the issue without unnecessary stress on the client. In recognition of our efforts, we were proud to receive a 5-star review from the property manager—a testament to our dedication and the trust we build with our clients.

Overview

Data Energy reviewed the metering and data collection infrastructure and collaborated with the managing agent and contractors to prepare meters for remote reading.

All units are now billed according to actual consumption, in compliance with Heat Network (M&B) regulations.

DMG completed an initial service defect report, identifying various issues and concerns.

The Challenge

A multiskilled team of Engineers arrived onsite within the hour to start the pump out of the energy centre could begin.

Whilst the pump out was being carried out, the senior contracts manager contacted all suppliers for stock and delivered the parts to site so the faulty bellows could be replaced.
By 6pm the engineers had installed the new bellows but remained onsite until the early hours to carry out the essential filling and venting.

The Result

Since then, DMG has carried out regular maintenance and developed a strong working relationship with the Estate Manager and onsite team.

Overview

Data Energy were appointed by Bruton Street Management to investigate the metering system at Burlington Gate, an innovative high-end residential development located in Mayfair.

The Challenge

The metering system was found to be consistently logging values far beyond expected thresholds. Data from a range of building services required processing before utility costs could be recharged accurately to residents.

A streamlined and highly efficient billing system needed to be established to ensure compliance with the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014.

Our Solution

Data Energy facilitated communication between contractors to rectify metering discrepancies, preventing residents from being heavily overcharged. We were able to provide a streamlined billing system using remote and virtual metering, and detailed tariff setting to provide quality billing at reduced costs.

We secured competitive tariffs to ensure utility supply costs were kept to a minimum by default.

The Impact

Faults with the metering system were identified and rectified at no surcharge for the Managing Agent or Developer. Residents continue to benefit from accurate and transparent billing.

Overview

Minutes from Canary Wharf, Silkworks and Silvermill is a prestigious St. James development of 462 apartments, boasting magnificent views across London and benefiting from a wealth of environmental design features. The development has two heat networks (supplied by independent gas-fired energy centres and heat-interface units that are installed in each apartment) from which residents can access the heat network on a 24/7/365 basis. Data Energy was appointed by the building’s managing agent, Michael Laurie Magar (MLM), to resolve legacy issues with the heat network that ultimately led to the metering process being suspended.

The Challenge

Our specialists found that the lack of metering data prohibited accurate billing and heavily restricted the managing agent’s ability to monitor network performance. This inability to monitor performance exposed the network to inefficiencies that couldn’t be identified, consequently putting residents at risk of unnecessarily high billing.

Furthermore, the absence of metering data hindered transparency when recharging costs to residents. The contribution and cost of on-site renewable energy heat pumps was unknown, which amplified the problem of being unable to determine network performance. Additionally, both the managing agent and developer were unclear of the network’s carbon savings.

Our Solution

Data Energy presented a structured plan to MLM for the recommissioning of the heat metering network, which in turn required access to more than 10% of the apartments in order to inspect tenant-level metering equipment. We upgraded the metering infrastructure to re-instate the system for residents, and several performance improvement measures of the network were identified.

The Impact

First, we shared with the developer a comprehensive range of network performance insights that will improve future home energy strategies by solving the trilemma of carbon emissions, local planning requirements, and practicability. Second, both metering networks were recommissioned, and the original design reinstated, allowing for accurate and transparent recharging to residents. And finally, we determined the energetic, financial and carbon performance of the renewable heat generation assets, which enabled us to calculate that it has the potential to generate healthy financial benefits under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.