We have built growing relationships with our current partners by working with them and becoming somewhat of a technology partner of theirs. With the energy market ever evolving, the energy retailer and all who work alongside them also need to be able to evolve and adapt accordingly. This blog covers who we work with, what challenges they faced that led them to Jules, the process Jules took to solve these challenges and what results.
Total Energies – Partnered with Jules in 2011 across The UK & The Netherlands.
The Problem
TGP wanted to extend the transaction portal services to their greenhouse production customers. Having already established themselves as the first UK utility company to embrace online transactions, they wanted to ensure they could optimise this solution fully. Another issue they experienced involved invoicing; TGP’s commodity offerings had to be calculated by means of different rates. In most cases, a singular invoice included multiple rates which posed to be difficult for the back office to accurately process and meant numerous issues due to human error. This was especially important for TGP as CHP owners in the greenhouse sector required such tooling and a solution would help them secure a better position in the market. This was another issue for TGP; on the commercial side, they were also keen to adopt a solution that would gain competitive advantage in the market. They needed a unique self-serving experience for their customers. This would also gain them an acquisition tool amongst the greenhouse growers and eventually lead to growth.With the ending of the passive energy consumer, efficient and easy interaction between the end-customer and supplier is of key importance.
The Process
To provide TGP with a unique platform which allows for the execution of energy contracts specified for their target market, firstly, interfaces were developed within TGP systems for a harmonious implementation process and minimal disruption of their services. Functionalities for a connection to the day ahead markets were also established. Jules provided TGP with an API possibility to gather their meter data directly for accurate readings and reporting.
The Result
The platform has shown significant results towards TGP’s back office by providing a more efficient and less time-consuming invoicing tool. The platform has also served as a customer acquisition tool leading to a growth in their customer base. More services are continuously being added with ongoing developments taking place. Since the initial platform solution, we have added functionalities for intraday trading, forecasting and switching possibilities; giving their customers full opportunities to optimise their assets.
SmartestEnergy – Partnered with Jules in 2019 in The UK
The Problem
Smartest Energy wanted to offer flexible contract execution possibilities to their generation customers with flexible assets wanting to trade on the market. Primarily using fixed price PPA, Smartest wanted to offer these customers the opportunity to take advantage of wholesale prices and offer flexibility. With the industry already experiencing a growth in flexibility and transparency, Smartest knew they had to match these customer expectations while providing a product that would stand out from the competition. This solution would allow their customers to take advantage of price developments in the market, as well as perform their own trading, with the use of an online trading solution provided by Jules.
The Process
With the implementation of the Jules Platform, Smartest was able to digitise their traditional FlexiPPA product by developing SmartFlex, powered by JuleSmart. It provides a service that offers more flexible energy contract executions, delivers market tracking, and enables price triggers/alerts and instant trading possibilities. The portal’s functionalities are continuously in development, with customers’ requests and needs at the forefront.
The Result
Smartest was able to expand their product portfolio by offering flexible trading possibilities and new products, facilitated by a smart online trading portal. The platform has led to an improvement in customer experience by providing transparency and automation with less manpower. The platform fits easily into their existing infrastructure with integratable component benefits for the supplier.
Engie – Partnered with Jules in 2016 across The UK & Netherlands
The Problem
ENGIE wanted to grow their position in the Dutch greenhouse industry. Knowing this industry already used the latest energy management and switching technology, ENGIE had to match this service level by offering an online trading solution. This solution would allow their customers to conduct their own trading, in combination with asset switching to optimise the greenhouse CHPs and MPANs. – Solution
The Process
To provide ENGIE with an unique platform which allows for the execution of energy contracts specified for their target market, Jules integrated the specifics of ENGIE’s energy contract based on their specifications. Their contract structures included customer hedging possibilities on Power and Gas long term trading, Power Day Ahead bidding and the National Grid imbalance cash-out mechanism. In order to allow for the financial optimization of customer CHP’s, Jules provided ENGIE with an API integration possibility to send trading and position results to the (3rd party) assets.
The Result
The platform has become such a success within ENGIE and has led to a growth in their customer base. More contract types have been added to the platform and more services for a variety of Commercial, Industrial and Enterprise segments. Both consuming and producing customers are served within the platform.
Flexitricity – Partnered with Jules in 2018 in The UK
The Problem
Originally Flexitricity is a successful Short Term Operating Reserve (known as STOR) provider in the UK. In 2019 it was a logical step to add energy supply services to their product portfolio. Having a large customer base with decentralised flexible assets, fixed priced contracts wouldn’t fit their customer needs. In order to add value to their mission, Flexitricity had to create a back office to sell flexible priced energy products and offer wholesale products.
The Process
Using Jules Standard way of working, Flextiricity’s new energy retail departments were efficiently consulted to build the new backbone trading system for the company and their B2B customers. By integrating the platform with their Balancing Responsible Partners and their Billing System, Flexitricity achieved a lean and cost-effective energy trading and supply service for their customers.
The Result
By implementing the Jules Platform, Flexitricity added energy supply services to their product range. This allowed Flexitricity to become a full-service energy & demand-response supplier. Along with an increased product portfolio, Flexitricity was able to grow their customer base and strengthen their position in the market.
