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NETWORK / 31 / APRIL 2016 DATA DevelopmenT In 2015 Guru Systems was one of nine winners of competition funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The objective was to create a step-change improvement in the data available for the predictable scoping, development and running of UK heat networks. Guru was awarded £569,000 to draw together data from an array of heat networks and find ways in which this data set could be used, in an open- access format, to generate practical intelligence and develop industry best practice. Outputs from the project will be available from 21 April 2016. I n the first of a series of site visits to UK heat networks, Network dropped in to see Stratford Plaza, an East London development by Telford Homes, a London- focused property developer that specialises in designing and building landmark developments across the capital. In recent years, regulation and corporate ethos have pushed Telford Homes to find new ways to cut the carbon intensity of its developments, while also helping residents to heat their homes in a cost-effective way. The installation of community heat networks in its high- rise buildings has become a favoured way of doing this. Unlike many developers, Telford Homes has chosen to retain ownership and control of these networks, rather than adopting an energy services company partner. Such an approach can be seen as unappealingly risky for developers, who often prefer to devolve responsibility for collecting debt and ensuring system efficiency to a third party contractor. However, Anthony Atkinson, estates and customer service director at Telford Homes, says the company sees it as "strategically important to develop expertise in the efficient commissioning and running of heat networks". He adds that Guru Systems, which provides the metering, payment and control system for the Stratford Plaza development, is helping to significantly diminish the risks involved in its approach. Casey Cole, managing director of Guru Systems, explains further: "When, in the course of delivering new homes, developers become on-site utility companies, this brings two main risks: debt and hidden inefficiency. "The first risk arises because the developer is responsible for the bulk fuel bill – for example gas – feeding the plant room. It's then up to the developer to recover the funds from residents, who may or may not pay. "The second risk comes from the fact that the developer must set a tariff for on-site utilities such as heating and cooling. This tariff includes an assumption about how efficiently the system takes input fuel, turns it into heat and delivers that heat to the home. If this assumption is wrong it can cost the on-site utility a huge amount – far more than they risk through bad debt." By providing a comprehensive metering and pay-as-you- go billing system, alongside system monitoring technology that provides real-time performance data and reporting for the heat network, Guru puts developers in control of these risks. The data allows developers to identify and correct inefficiencies and set accurate tariffs that are relative to system performance. Developed by Telford Homes Comprises 220 homes over 26 floors Heat network metering and control system supplied by Guru Systems Gas-powered energy centre The pay-as-you-go billing mechanism also protects developers from accumulating debt. Key attributes of Guru's technology include: • Wireless monitoring of whole system performance, including whole system flow- and-return efficiencies, and flow-and-return efficiencies for individual properties. • Smart metering of heat consumption. • Instant pay-as-you-go billing supported by a mobile app. on SITe STrATforD plAzA