Ella Energy featured on Trends-Z — the Verhelst case

Trends-Z ran a report on how Ella Energy turns the digital meter into an AI energy assistant for SMEs. Today the data from that digital meter often goes unused; Ella turns it into concrete actions that help SMEs lower their bill.

What does Ella do?

The digital electricity meter accurately records consumption every fifteen minutes — data available for up to three years, but usually left untouched. Ella continuously analyses that quarter-hourly data, fully plug-and-play and without any installation. Its AI does two things: make predictions based on consumption patterns, and translate the data into clear advice — on things like standby and peak consumption — that companies can act on right away.

The Verhelst case

One of the first users was the Ostend-based Verhelst Group. Within a week, a nighttime standby load surfaced: a compressor constantly switching on and off — silent, and therefore unnoticed.

"Within a week we already spotted a nighttime standby load from a compressor constantly cycling on and off. In the first week alone that saved 6,000 euros." — Verhelst Group

Ella also gave the construction group insight into the sharp peak load when employees plug in their cars on arrival in the morning. Based on that, a battery is now ready to be connected.

What makes it different?

Many energy management systems want to control everything, which for many SMEs is too big an investment. Ella wants to be step zero: making maximum use of the information already available through the digital meter. In most cases around 80% of the needed information is already there — enough to give genuinely useful advice, at a fraction of the cost.

The ambition

Ella Energy aims for 2,000 Belgian SME customers by the end of this year. After that, it's also looking towards the Netherlands, France and Italy.

This is a summary of the Trends-Z video report. Watch the full report via the link above.