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.

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 meter programs:
  • Leap Connect - Embed Leap Connect URL into both customer new sales/install workflows as well as existing customer install base enrollment workflows
• For device programs (& optionally TX ERS):
  • Create Meters - Add meters directly to Leap platform for enrolled customers and devices

Automate Dispatch Events

• Meter Inventory [Use cases A-C] - Sync meter data between Leap platform and partner systems in preparation for dispatching
• Dispatch - 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 - Sync revenue and settlement data to financial reporting systems and get revenue broken down by customer
• 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

• Meter Inventory [Use cases D-F] - Increase enrollments by tracking meters requiring action and automating customer follow-up as needed
• Meter Configuration - Manage meter participation over time based on seasonal requirements or customer requests
• For 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