If your business has begun the journey to net zero, you will be aware that some carbon-cutting strategies are more valid than others. Businesses are under more pressure than ever not just to cut emissions, but to come up with a net zero strategy that stands up to scrutiny and avoids accusations of greenwash.
Many will also realise that simply signing up for a “green energy” supplier tariff isn’t enough, because of the lack of transparency in the energy market. Perhaps you have signed up for a corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA), or worked to develop an on-site generation asset, only to realise you still don’t have a clear picture of how green your energy sourcing is.
We all know that renewable energy sources are naturally intermittent because they depend on the weather. To keep the lights on, this usually means getting some energy from the grid. So, we realise that claims like “100% renewable” are fiction. The question is, what are the facts?
Here’s where the Matcher comes in. ENTRNCE has created this pioneering data technology platform to show exactly how well the energy consumption of your business is aligned with renewable energy production, at half-hourly intervals. It does this by taking half-hourly snapshots of both the consumption and sourcing patterns, then shares that data in an easy-to-read visual form. You simply log in to see at a glance what’s going on.
Getting this kind of granular data allows you to make real-time decisions about your energy usage to boost the percentage of renewables in the mix. On a windy day when your turbines have high output, you might choose to carry out energy-intensive activities, charge up your battery storage and perhaps charge up a fleet of electric cars. On days when renewable output is low, you might decide to postpone the use of energy-hungry machinery to a better time. Without this data, you are missing the chance to make the most of your investment in renewables.
As well as helping you make day-to-day adjustments to optimise your renewable usage, the Matcher can help you make more long-term decisions about your renewable energy strategy.
The simulation functionality lets you model the potential impact of any changes you may be considering. Whether that is investing in battery storage, signing a new CPPA or building more on-site renewables, the Matcher lets you see the results before you commit. This modelling isn’t generic; it is based on your company’s real consumption patterns to date. The simulation data is available in half-hourly intervals, so it’s just as granular as your real-world data.
The tailored, data-driven simulations you get from the Matcher are a game-changer when it comes to exploring your renewable energy options. The business case for each investment is right there in front of you and is easy to show to potential investors. And, of course, when you have made those decisions then you can use the Matcher to track the ongoing success of your renewable energy strategy.
We know that emissions reporting schemes are becoming increasingly stringent and that businesses fear being caught out overestimating their Scope 2 emissions. But armed with the data on the renewable content of your energy consumption, your reporting for both mandatory and voluntary schemes will be detailed, clear, and evidence-based. In other words: futureproof.
The data can also reduce your exposure to another big risk: energy price volatility. By cutting the amount of grid energy your business uses, you reduce your dependence on fossil fuels, which means less exposure to spiralling wholesale prices. You also reduce your reliance on REGOS (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) which have recently skyrocketed in price. In the past year, prices of the REGOs have gone up by over 800% and look set to climb still further.
Intrigued? Why not book a free demonstration to see how the Matcher can help your business? Get a one-to-one consultation with one of our energy experts and see in real time how the Matcher can help you on the road to net zero and energy security.
Book a free Matcher demo today