The Challenge
EKZ set out to optimize its approach to data storage, sharing, and usage to align with evolving business and regulatory needs. One of the key objectives was to comply with regulations requiring customers to have access to five years of historical energy usage data. At the same time, EKZ aimed to enhance the customer experience by providing near real-time insights into energy consumption. These improvements would also enable EKZ to better anticipate outages and plan maintenance activities more effectively.
A critical factor in this transformation was the company’s expanding network of smart energy meters, projected to reach 450,000 devices. These meters generate data at 15-minute intervals, creating a substantial volume of information that must be stored securely and accessible at high speeds, while remaining scalable and cost-efficient.
The Approach
Our approach centered on involving the company’s employees directly in the technical decisions and implementation of a new data platform, complemented by on-the-job training to ensure knowledge transfer and adoption. This hands-on collaboration streamlined the process and ensured the platform aligned closely with the company’s needs. Focusing on simplicity, minimal maintenance, and seamless integration of real-time data analysis, we designed a platform capable of automatically scaling to handle peak loads while minimizing operational overhead. To further reduce complexity, certain cloud components initially included in the design were later removed, resulting in a streamlined and efficient solution.
EKZ, or Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich, is a key energy supplier for the Zurich region. Nearly a million people rely on the company’s network, which consists of more than 15,000 kilometers of cabling. In addition, through its subsidiaries, EKZ provides services for electrical installations, solar panels, safety tests, and energy consulting. Collectively, this adds up to a dynamic and large-scale data environment that is critical in EKZ delivering reliable and affordable electricity.
The Result
The collaboration with EKZ resulted in a streamlined and efficient data platform, delivering significant value on multiple fronts. By working as an integrated team, EKZ employees and Eraneos experts shared knowledge and skills throughout the process, culminating in a platform that is so low-maintenance it can be effectively managed by a single individual.
The platform is also future-proof. Designed to support the expected growth to 450,000 smart energy meters, it is ready to handle increasing volumes of data without compromising performance. Leveraging Azure Data Explorer, EKZ is well-positioned to adopt IoT-like projects involving continuous high-volume data streams.
This project underscores the importance of close collaboration and knowledge transfer in creating tailored, sustainable solutions that not only meet current needs but also prepare organizations for future opportunities.
Let’s create sustainable change together.
Contact our experts
info@eraneos.com