Energy
Customer Portal for Electricity Consumers and Producers
In the energy sector in Germany, there are several large network operators, each of which has numerous Distribution System Operators (DSOs) or Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). These operators sell and deliver electricity to end customers. The appropriate software solution must enable secure data entry and management for customers of all DSOs. At the same time, it must make content accessible to all brands while providing the ability to customize the website. We provide suitable solutions with the integration of dynamic apps into the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) content management system.
Multitenancy Solutions
Management
Multitenancy Solutions
Managing content for all Distribution System Operators (DSOs) connected to the network operator in one central location. These DSOs can adopt the appropriate content from the network operator, such as the customer portal. This is useful because the features to be provided to the DSOs customers are the same. At the same time, the DSOs can customize their websites individually (include regional information, introduce teams, use their own landing pages, etc.). Through individually tailored software and system architectures using frontend frameworks, live copies, content fragments, and experience fragments in AEM, we enable the different brands to have high dynamism and reusability of content and integrated applications. We implement modern frontend frameworks in AEM and use centrally managed component libraries with React, Angular, VueJs, or LIT. The added value is fast development cycles, low maintenance effort, and adherence to corporate design. The different component libraries can be configured with different brand colors at the AEM level, allowing content authors to create new brand websites in AEM without development effort.
Management of Own Electricity Contracts
By connecting external microservices to AEM, various functions can be managed in the customer portal. The customer has the ability to view their contract data at any time. If a customer generates solar energy and feeds parts of it into the grid, this is also traceable in the portal in terms of quantity and compensation. Furthermore, information about faults and the commissioning of craftsmen is possible here. Due to the multitude of business units and processes required to implement these functions, we, as the central web team, are constantly in communication with various development teams and manage the vertical integration of new features from the business units for delivery to end customers through the web portal.
Fault Map
Power grids are prone to faults, and it is essential to resolve outages as quickly as possible. For this, smooth fault reporting is necessary. This task is interesting to us because it requires continuous data collection and analysis. We have developed an app for a major network operator that allows employees of different Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to stay informed about faults and report them. The app displays distribution cabinets, connected households, and solar cells in a map view.
Reporting & Resolution
Extensions
Reporting and Resolving Faults
The app is primarily used by back-office employees and technicians from DSOs and the network operator. We developed the app as a multibrand application using React, TypeScript, and a component library that matches the colors of different DSOs. The map displays all internally known faults. If users identify faults that are missing on the map, they report them via Störungsauskunft.de, and they appear in the app. Lightning strikes and flood information are displayed as possible causes of power outages. The data is presented on different map layers for better visibility. We integrated various APIs from microservices developed by different teams. As developers of the central platform, we also act as communication and coordination partners between the teams. Technicians who are responsible for resolving faults often have poor internet connections on-site. That's why we developed the app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and enabled offline usage. Additionally, the view of assets can be reduced through filters in case of slow data transmission.
Continuous Improvement and Expansion
To enable the most accurate representation, the app uses the Leaflet map library for marker visualization and mapping. The app's authentication is done through Azure, as well as its operation, allowing integration with existing user groups, roles, and permissions from Microsoft Active Directories. This enables cross-system user management. Newly added faults are recorded through this integration, and we also utilize Azure's Application Insights. We can see which DSOs the app users come from and how they specifically use it. Both are important for the continuous improvement and expansion of the application. On one hand, it should become more user-friendly, and on the other hand, it will be enhanced with additional displays, such as showing newly laid cables. A B2C version of the fault map, with fewer features and assets, will also be developed in the future.
Modernization of Data Dashboards
The energy sector offers us several areas of activity: In addition to apps for information about faults and customer portals, companies also need dashboards. Through this information, energy producers and network operators can more accurately predict electricity demand and overproduction, which is crucial for efficient trading on the European power exchange EEX. Since some of this information is rapidly changing, we enable real-time data provision. In some cases, the network operators had outdated systems, so we had to completely redesign most of them from scratch for the development of the new dashboards: Retrofitting to reflect recently become interesting information in real-time was no longer possible, so we designed new solutions with a modern frontend framework and current best practices for user interface design to provide users with personalized dashboards as well.
Demand Planning
Simplified Demand Planning
Electricity consumption has changed in recent years: Even at night, the demand is now increasing, for example for charging electric cars. Network operators can use our dashboards to determine when and where there are peaks in demand and when the variable prices are high. This allows for various predictions for demand planning: When and where does how much electricity need to be provided? Weather data also enables the prediction of electricity generation through solar and wind power. The company's KPIs and information such as prices are presented in clear charts, which we implement using the JavaScript software library Highcharts. This enables a straightforward and targeted presentation of all relevant data.
Our location
KöpenickerAufgang 1
10179 Berlin
