The Distribution System Operator in the energy value chain
Energy efficiency (using less energy to achieve the same result) plays a key role in businesses. It’s an easy, cost-effective way to tackle climate change, reduce costs and improve competitiveness.
Achieving long-term efficiency requires actions based on data collection and use.
But where do you start without all the information?
Fortunately, consumption data from the DSO (Distribution System Operator) can help.
In fact, the DSO links consumers and energy suppliers, ensuring a reliable grid and more.
This article explores the DSO’s role in the energy value chain, data integration, and energy efficiency.
Table of Contents
What is a Distribution System Operator
When it comes to energy efficiency, the DSO manages customer energy needs across the distribution network for efficiency.
This is possible thanks to smart meters (those that are connected to the Internet and replace analogue meters). This is precisely the key role of the DSO in the digitalisation of the entire energy sector.
Moreover, these meters help the DSO manage energy consumption and generation while improving supply quality and creating customer value.
The role of DSO
Data Storage
The DSO is not only responsible for distributing energy, but also for collecting and storing consumption data.
In fact, the data is entered daily, every 10 or 15 minutes for electricity and every hour for gas.
Furthermore, this is a very powerful source of information, crucial for energy suppliers (as they bill the customer on the basis of consumption) and valuable for third parties.
Indeed, third parties (such as Energis) can transform this information into value-added digital solutions for the consumer.
Energis.Cloud, for example, transforms consumption information into insights, so that efficiency measures can be better targeted and prioritised. In this way, you can closely follow your energy reduction targets.
The good news is that you can request data from third parties at any time, as it is always available thanks to DSO.
This requires a little effort on your part, so if you decide to get on board and get added value from your actual consumption data, here are the steps to follow.
Data Request
Third parties can request data on behalf of the end user: however, the customer must provide a mandate to allow access.
This can be done by means of a signed document or online via the DSO’s portal.
The mandate is necessary, not least because the DSO regularly checks whether the third party is authorised to access the consumer’s meter data.
The mandate must include all EAN codes of the meters. (An EAN code is a number that identifies a connection to the electricity or gas network).
Once the mandate is there, we can proceed to the actual collection step.
Data Collection
As a third party, access to data can be done in 2 ways:
- Via API: this method is for low volume users, i.e. private individuals.
- Via an FTP (File Transfer Protocol): a way of downloading, uploading and transferring files from one place to another on the Internet and between computer systems. This method suits for high consumers (companies, businesses).
As DSOs are different in each country/region, if you want to purchase data from different countries, the third party must be able to address a wide range of DSOs.
For example, here is a list of DSOs by country.
In most cases, a threshold is used to classify consumers (as low or high). This threshold is the kilovolt-ampere (kVA) power. (A volt-ampere is the voltage multiplied by the current supplying an electrical load. One kilovolt-ampere corresponds to 1000 volt-amps).
The added value that Energis.Cloud brings
Lastly, with its extensive possibilities, Energis.Cloud can acquire data from DSOs in different countries, but it does not stop here. Energis.Cloud goes further, collecting other types of data, such as weather, occupancy, and activity. This enables you to make the best energy-saving decisions ever.
If you want to see all the DSOs we support and achieve outstanding savings, visit our dedicated page.
