decc supported heat metering project by sycous
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Hello.
We are
Sycous.
@sycous
/sycous
We are part of the Minol-ZENNER Group who have been providing metering and billing
solutions across Europe and North America for over 35 years.
Our range of products and services include:
• Open protocol domestic and commercial meters
• Wired and wireless data collection solutions
• Complete data management and billing software
• Technical support and training.
We focus on collaboration and engagement to share knowledge and deliver transparency,
accuracy, compatibility across our solutions.
@sycous
/sycous
As part of the DECC Heat Network Innovation Competition, Sycous was selected to look at the
benefits associated with installing metering onto existing heat networks and self-
administration of billing.
Working with West Lancashire Borough Council we installed over 200 heat meters across a
range of sites, providing enhanced customer feedback and high frequency readings to look at
the benefits of demand management through time-based tariffs.
@sycous
/sycous
At Sycous we always believed in putting our clients in control of their heat networks,
customers, brand and cash flow.
This is possible because our managed insourcing solution automates many of the functions
associated with metering, data collection and billing… including:
• Data importation
• Data validation
• Statement/invoice generation
• Credit control letters and emails
• Pay-as-you-go systems
This means our clients can do what they already do best…
manage people, homes and money. In West Lancashire
we proved this can be delivered.
@sycous
/sycous
As part of this project we developed an enhanced online
user interface meaning clients and consumers can access it
from any device, any where, any time…
We also looked to integrate, especially into financial
systems, allowing the clear management of debt risks within
existing financial processes… Increasing transparency and
reducing costs.
@sycous
/sycous
Managed insourcing is designed to be competitive as we understand that costs are
ultimately paid by the tenants in their tariff.
We also understand the pressure on resources, which is why we aimed to automate all key
processes, including meter data validation… This means that only exceptions need
managing.
Our solution aimed to have a have minimal impact on the West Lancashire team … for
example, tenant changes, you can update directly rather than notifying a 3rd party…
The only real difference to outsourcing is who
presses print on the monthly statements…
But the costs can be up to 73% lower.
@sycous
/sycous
@sycous
/sycous
But don’t take our word for it…
“mySycous provided both us and our customers the ability to manage billing in a much more user friendly way. We really like the freedom it gives us, and the integration we can have with our existing finance systems. It’s relatively simple and easy to use and the support we have received from Sycous has been second to none. The service has been great for us and our customers!”
Victoria Mager, Lead Commissioning Manager, Anchor
@sycous
/sycous
We demonstrated that the installation of metering and supported insourcing led to savings
of £4.00 for every £1 spent on administration alone… we’re expecting further savings once
we have 12 months of consumption.
We have found from a number of different clients that in just 2 hours per month they were
able to manage an average of 153 properties.
We are on track to demonstrate an 18% reduction in energy consumption after the end of
phase 3 of our project in March 2017. We are also seeing reductions in peak 15 minutely
demand profiles, which is expected to reflect in lower raw fuel costs.
@sycous
/sycous
We will be continuing our analysis of data from the West
Lancashire sites over the next 12 months as part of Phase
3 of our DECC project.
We will be looking to build this data into agent models to
predict demand more accurately and undertake enhanced
consumer validation and feedback to reduce or manage
consumption profiles. This period will also allow us to
draw firm conclusions in relation to time-based tariffs for
demand management.
@sycous
/sycous
The Sycous team are experts in meters and data, providing all the necessary hardware and
software. This includes metering, data collection, billing and prepayment solutions.
Our philosophy remains to provide open-protocol solutions that future-proof heat networks
and do not lock clients into long-term commitments.
And we add additional value with:
• Free heat metering surveys through Sustainable Homes
• Help establishing a fair and transparent tariff structures
• Onsite and remote training to ensure you are always fully supported!
• Attending resident meetings to support clients and their
consumers
