Commercial & Industrial
The flexibility to choose which use cases to automate, and when, means that the path to automation can look different for different partners. Some partners fully integrate across all available API use cases right when they launch their Leap-powered VPP programs in order to grow their offerings as quickly as possible from the start. However, this integration work requires an upfront allocation of developer resources that some organizations may not be able to commit to all at once.
Another approach is to introduce this integration work in phases in order to limit the number of developer hours needed upfront. We've worked with dozens of commercial and industrial (C&I) partners over the last few years to complete this integration work, and have seen what's worked well when it comes to VPP automation. Based on these experiences and our grid services expertise, we’ve developed recommendations and best practices for how to approach phased API integration.
ROI Case Study:
Automating VPP operations quickly pays for itself and enables significant revenue growth.
Leap partner, sonnen, automated key operational workflows leading to impressive revenue growth and an average development effort payback in less than 6 months based on operational savings alone.
Recommended Phasing
Since C&I providers are connecting larger resources, the recommended automation phasing is a little different than residential. C&I partners are more focused on getting the maximum value out of their larger resources so accurately and consistently dispatching and then monitoring grid event performance and revenue is critical to scaling these commercial VPP programs.
Phase 1 (At launch)
Onboard Meters
When planning for scale to dozens of meters or more.
- For Utility Authorization (Utility Meter) programs:
- Leap Connect - Embed Leap Connect URL into both customer sales/install workflows as well as existing customer install base enrollment workflows in order for customers to complete authorization
- For Direct Enroll (Utility Meter & Device) programs:
- Create Meters - Add meters directly to Leap platform for enrolled customers and devices
Schedule Grid Events
- Meter Inventory [Use cases A-C] - Sync meters between Leap platform and partner systems in preparation for dispatching
- Dispatch Automation - Receive dispatch event notifications (webhook push recommended) and automate control of customer devices
Phase 2 (At launch or within first 6 months)
Track Revenue & Performance
- Revenue Reporting - Sync revenue and settlement data to financial reporting systems, automate customer payments (if applicable), and alert on meters with high missed revenue in order to take corrective action
- Event Performance - Track performance and alert on poor performing meters in order to take corrective action
Phase 3 (At launch or within first 9 months)
Automate Operations
- Optimize Enrollments [Use case D] - Track customer meter eligibility and partner actions in order to maximize meter enrollments and revenue
- Manage Participation - Manage meter participation over time based on seasonal requirements or customer requests
- For Direct Enroll (Device) programs:
- Interval Upload - Automate device interval data uploads via SFTP client library
- For C&I storage providers in CAISO:
- Bidding - Dynamically bid into CAISO to capture opportunistic revenue