HEAT NETWORKS
Guru Systems solutions for ambient loop networks
Accurately monitor consumption and performance across ambient loop networks.
Accurately monitor consumption for both heating and cooling
Guru Systems technology captures consumption data from ambient loop heat networks in line with the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations and expected future requirements by Ofgem.
Unlike most providers, Guru Systems can accurately capture consumption data in both heating and cooling modes. Our technology is compatible with a wide range of meters, including solutions where one meter counts both heating and cooling registers.
Choose pay-as-you-go or credit billing while minimising debt risk
Choose Guru Hub 2 or the screen-free Guru Hub 3 Core to manage and monitor multiple utility accounts, and control supply. Minimise debt risk by remotely switching customers between credit and prepayment (Guru Hub 2), extending friendly or emergency credit (Guru Hub 2), and enabling or disabling supply when needed (Guru Hub 2 and Guru Hub 3 Core).
The accompanying software structures this data ready to be accessed online, or sent to any chosen metering and billing provider via secure file transfer.
Monitor network performance and heat pump efficiency
Unmonitored heat networks don’t usually perform well, and poorly performing networks mean higher operational costs, higher customer bills and higher carbon emissions. This is just as true for ambient loop networks.
Guru Systems captures performance data from the entire network every five minutes ready for analysis via our online analytics platform Guru Pinpoint. This performance monitoring also enables the calculation of efficiency (Seasonal Performance Factor) of any heat pumps installed in dwellings.
Ambient loop networks will be regulated by Ofgem, and the reporting of performance data will be required annually.
Configure heat pumps remotely for improved performance
Guru Systems technology can be integrated with heat pumps via modbus, giving operators the ability to remotely configure heat pumps in operation as well as the ability to capture more detailed performance data. Capturing data from the heat pump itself is fundamental to understanding heat pump efficiency (Seasonal Performance Factor).
What is Seasonal Performance Factor?
Seasonal Performance Factor (or SPF) is the measure of how efficient a heat pump is in operation. This is different to Coefficient of Performance (or COP) which is the expected efficiency of a heat pump provided by a manufacturer modelled on a specific theoretical operating condition. Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) is similar to COP but is modelled across a reference year. Both of these calculations use standard conditions that may vary from those seen by the system in the real world.
SPF, on the other hand, is used to calculate the efficiency of a heat pump system in operation. On a basic level SPF = Total heat output per year / Total electricity consumed per year. But to ensure the SPF reflects the experience of the resident, any electricity used by the immersion coil for hot water should be accounted for in the calculation. This is why the modbus connection to the heat pump is necessary – as that way it’s possible to know from the heat pump itself how much electricity is being used to generate hot water via the immersion coil. If only data from the heat meter and electricity meter is captured, then the SPF would be distorted by any electricity needed to meet hot water demand, and wouldn’t be showing a true representation of the electricity needed to upgrade the heat arriving at the heat pump.
Our CPD on ambient loop networks
Despite good intentions, many UK heat networks do not perform anywhere near their intended efficiency, with network oversizing contributing to the problem. Measuring and reporting on heat network performance is increasingly required for compliance purposes. This course sets out to give delegates an understanding of why capturing heat network performance data is important. Delegates will learn about what kind of performance data can be accessed, including a review of technology to capture and analyse this data. Delegates will learn about what problems can be identified, and what good and bad heat network performance data looks like.
Ambient loop networks: The regulatory requirements
Ambient loop networks are covered by the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations, meaning heat network operators are required to capture consumption data and bill customers based on the amount of heat they use. Ambient loop networks have also been confirmed to be included under Ofgem’s remit when the heat networks sector is regulated in 2025.
While the scheme rules are still being defined, there are four key areas that we know that Ofgem is going to regulate: customer protection, technical standards, price, and carbon emissions. In the case of technical standards and customer protection, it is expected that network operators will have to measure what matters before reporting to Ofgem.
Additional software
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Guru Pinpoint
Guru Hub 3 Core also captures heat network performance data every five minutes for analysis via our online analytics platform Guru Pinpoint. Guru Pinpoint uses machine learning algorithms to help you identify and resolve performance issues and improve the efficiency of your heat network.
Read more
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