KUGU sichert sich 8,5 Millionen Euro für die Dekarbonisierung der Immobilienbranche
More and more energy companies are using digital solutions to establish themselves as an independent measurement service provider. The cooperation between e.ditstherm and KUGU shows how this works successfully in reality.
Die E.DIS AG is one of the largest regional supply companies in the Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania area. It is part of the E.ON Group and operates electricity and gas networks in its core business. In addition, there is a wide range of services, ranging from electricity and heating to telecommunications services. With KUGU, E.DIS has now built up another mainstay with measurement services.
The new services are offered by the subsidiary e.distherm Wärmedienstleistungen GmbH, which specializes in heat supply solutions. In addition to municipalities, public utilities, clinics, hotels, commercial and industrial companies, their customers also include housing companies.
The Metering Point Operations Act as a basis for cooperation in sub-metering
e.distherm sees itself as an innovative energy service provider and, even before positioning itself as a measurement service provider, has offered a wide range of heat services for buildings, such as heat contracting solutions. In cooperation with the housing industry, there is great potential to couple decentralized, energy concepts with the requirements of progressive digitization. Since there are already close, long-term business relationships here, it makes sense to develop mutually profitable and cooperative business models.
A further impetus to develop more offers for the housing industry is the legal framework in Meßstellenbetriebsgesetz (MsbG). As part of the rollout of smart meter gateways (SMGWs), it is possible to offer submetering to the housing industry as a metering point operator in addition to previous services. Such bundling is permitted by the new Section 6 of the MSBG. This provides an interesting opportunity for network operators and public utilities to include submetering offerings in their own service portfolio.
“We've been looking for new services for the housing industry for a long time. The new regulations of the Metering Point Operations Act are a great opportunity for us to now also add sub-metering to our portfolio. ”
Another interesting aspect: The market for measurement services has been changing for some time now. More and more housing companies are looking for alternative, locally well-connected providers. The increased regional orientation allows for closely interlinked, cooperative approaches and provides space for transparent processes. Concepts for participation and thus strengthening regional added value are also conceivable. This is a perfect fit for increased decentralization in future energy supply.
In order to implement a tailor-made, flexible and efficient range of measurement services, a future-oriented, easily scalable technological basis is required. KUGU offers exactly the right solutions for these challenges solutions.
Become an independent billing partner and data provider with innovative software solutions
e.distherm has identified the described potentials for expanding the existing service portfolio in the area of submetering.
In cooperation with KUGU, as a provider of a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for processing energetic building data, a concept was developed with which e.distherm can position itself as an independent innovative measurement service provider. e.distherm is thus intended to be perceived not only as a comprehensive heat media provider, but also as a billing partner and data supplier.
In collaboration with KUGU, a business model tailored to the needs of e.distherm was developed with a comprehensive package of services. From heating cost billing and monitoring of heating systems to automated smoke alarm management, e.distherm can fully represent the services of a measurement service. In addition to the functions of the KUGU platform, a suitable sales strategy was also developed. This created the basis for intensive cooperation between e.distherm as an energy company and the housing industry.
e.distherm places high demands on holistic digital processes and a high level of process automation in order to have a competitive advantage over conventional measurement services. For e.distherm customers, this has two decisive advantages: On the one hand, invoices can be made available much faster and, on the other hand, invoices are less prone to errors due to automated processes. This enables e.distherm to provide measurement services in a time and cost efficient manner.
In addition to technology and sales tools, KUGU also offers comprehensive start-up support. This includes help in sales and in processing services. Kugu is also responsible for solving technical problems in the building, e.g. when collecting data. Start-up support runs until e.distherm has fully grown into the processes. KUGU thus not only provides the software, but is also a helping hand in the development of the business model and implementation.
“With KUGU, we have both the right tools and the necessary technical expertise to position ourselves as a comprehensive measurement service vis-à-vis the housing industry in the future. ”
e.distherm draws on KUGU's entire product range. This also includes KUGU Resident app with which tenants can view and compare their own consumption rates. Basically designed as a white label solution, e.distherm is Kugu's first customer who uses the technology but values its own branding. This gives e.distherm a technically functional app in its own design without high development costs. This is not only attractive for e.distherm, but also marks a milestone for KUGU.
The vision of the future as a comprehensive, innovative measurement service provider
After a successfully completed planning phase, including a pilot project, a framework agreement was concluded with KUGU for further cooperation. Sales have already started. To date, e.distherm is active as a measurement service provider in a three-digit number of residential units.
“We were able to use our existing contacts in the housing industry to acquire our first customers and are certain that we will continue to expand our position in the market. ”
If e.distherm can assert itself as a measurement service provider in the Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania area, the parent company E.ON intends to expand the project to other regional companies.
Are you considering adding a measurement service to your product portfolio so that you are perceived as an independent, innovative billing partner in the market? Are you interested in submetering in general and would like to make a contribution to sustainability & energy efficiency?
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Christopher von Gumppenberg//Managing Director// c.gumppenberg@kugu-home.com
