MONITORING & METERING


the right Meter Operator (MOP) and Data Collector (DC) partner in place. While the option to choose a MOP and DC services provider has always been available, many businesses tend to rely on services that are automatically appointed by their energy supplier, or there is a ‘default’ option of choosing the cheapest provider. In a new data-led world, it is


important that businesses feel empowered to choose a metering partner that meets their specific requirements. While there will be changes in what


Is now the time to switch to an advanced meter?


Market-side half-hourly settlement (MHHS) reform will provide an opportunity for businesses to assess whether their current metering arrangements will work best for them in the long term. Ben Whitelam addresses some of the key questions that companies should be asking.


Ben Whitelam


Director of data & metering services and commercial at npower Business Solutions


npowerbusinesssolutions.com T


his year will see the start of one of the biggest transformations to the electricity market to date, the


Market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) reform, which is set to bring greater energy data insight for organisations across the UK. As well as more granular


cost allocation, access to new products, increased innovation, new technologies and flexibility services from energy suppliers, the reform provides an opportunity for businesses to assess whether their current metering arrangements will work best for them in the long term. Generally, there are three meter options most commonly used by business energy consumers – traditional, advanced or smart meters – although smart meters are more commonly found on residential or smaller business properties. The impending implementation of the MHHS means that one of the main questions we’re asked is whether it makes sense to switch from a traditional to an advanced or smart meter now.


Three main benefi ts The simple answer is, yes. For us, there


EIBI | JULY � AUGUST 2025


are three key reasons why it makes sense.


1. Your energy invoices are more accurate In today’s challenging economic environment, businesses are looking for ways to save money. When it comes to energy, installing an advanced meter means that you only pay for the electricity you use. As a result, having access to the


more granular data an advanced meter provides means you can be confident that your energy invoices are correct and based on actual usage, with very little manual intervention.


2. It provides you with greater understanding of how and when you are using energy The more-granular data provided by an advanced meter gives you a highly detailed and dynamic picture of your energy use, making it easier to track and measure your consumption and associated carbon emissions. For example, at a single site, you


can identify spikes in usage when the site is closed (such as a retail store) or during different shift patterns (such as a manufacturer), and compare usage for the same site but for different time periods for example, the previous months, or same period during the previous year. For businesses with multiple sites,


you can also normalise consumption usage across sites by using additional meaningful data such as production (for a manufacturer) and footfall or


sales (for a retailer). You can also create and group usage reports based on a set classification. For example, ‘manufacturing’ or ‘research and development’ for a manufacturer, and ‘shopping centre’ or ‘high street’ for retail.


3. You can use the data to make improvements


One of the major benefits of having an advanced energy meter in place is the amount of useful energy data it produces. Data collection is carried out by a


data services agent and can then be shared with you. However, this data is only valuable if a business uses it to take meaningful action. For example, using an energy data visualisation platform can help you make smarter decisions about your energy strategy. These platforms can provide easy


access to your consumption data via intuitive dashboards, enabling you to run detailed reports, look at consumption forecasts, compare sites and set up alerts if your energy use has exceeded expected levels. This means you can pinpoint


opportunities for energy savings and carbon emissions reduction. They can also help you build the business case for investment in new energy efficiency measures, helping you reduce costs and emissions even further.


Choosing a meter operator To get the most out of your data and metering, it is important that you have


your metering and data agents are called under MHHS (more information on this is available on our dedicated MHHS hub), there are four key things businesses should consider when choosing a partner: ● Make sure your metering agent matches your meter type: the type of metering agent you need depends on how the energy usage at your site is measured or the type of metering you have. ● Watch out for hidden services


or charges: choosing an agent that provides an all-inclusive service means there won’t be any unexpected costs, such as swapping out 2G and 3G SIM cards, which are being retired in the coming years. ● Understand service level


agreements (SLAs): the length of time that it takes a metering agent to respond to queries and faults is important, as any downtime can impact a business’s operations. ● Make sure the services meet


all requirements: many companies will have different providers for their energy supply and metering. So, it is important to consult with your energy provider to understand what they expect from your metering agent, so t his can be included into the contract, and to avoid any future additional costs.


When choosing a data and metering


agent, it pays to work with a partner that offers a fully inclusive data and metering service. It is also vital that your partner understands that delivering outstanding performance plays a pivotal role in managing your energy use and supporting your journey to net zero.


Preparing for change This year is a big year for the metering world as the MHHS migration starts. That is why energy metering and monitoring needs to be a priority, and why businesses need to have a greater understanding of the benefits of installing a more advanced meter and working with a metering partner that best serves their needs. ■


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