To achieve these objectives, the following work streams were undertaken:
Project Management: Overall co-ordination of the project and creation of interim and final deliverables: Activities included project reporting and resource management
Market Study: Segmentation and quantification of the addressable market. Activities: synthesis of existing research; customer research on strategy for Verv and perceived barriers; interviews with experts; assessment of regulatory landscape for analytic appliances and data management, policy incentives, current and pending, map of stakeholder landscape, analysis of national electricity pricing structures, customer segmentation
Customer Proposition: Develop, test and refine propositions for each target market segment. Activities: customer interviews testing Verv proposition, customer interviews, interviews with partners
Supply Chain Engagement: engage with supply chain partners to understand and de-risk the supply chain. Activities: review of component options and interviews with each supply group, identify market partners, component sourcing options adequate for high volume production
Technology Development: Roadmap refined, cost reduction milestones to underpin further development defined, IPR. Activities: component specifications defined for each development path explored; additional features evaluated, network standard compliance extended, patent search and filing
Implementation Plan: Objective is to create an integrated commercial and technology development plan. Activities: identification of the main technical, commercial and legal risks, and preparation for the subsequent Phase 2 SME instrument, including compilation of application and match funding secured.
Results of the project include:
- Prioritised 3 European markets for entry (Italy, France, Germany) and gathered valuable intelligence on each market
- Producesd propositions for target customer groups: utilities, appliance servicers, property managers, social landlords.
- Engaged with supply chain partners, component providers and data storage providers (AWS).
- Generated a system development roadmap and define cost reductions for future development of the technology.
- Defined and engage a series of potential clients for trial participation (e.g. utilities, appliance maintenance providers)
- Created an integrated commercial and systems development plan, including identification of the main technical and commercial risks, and prepare for securing public and private sector funding for the subsequent Phase II stage
