Smart Energy Heating and Monitoring solution

Driving Factor

Net Zero is reshaping the way energy systems operate. With the growing adoption of flexible tariffs and Demand Side Response (DSR), modern home energy systems increasingly need to provide real-time, on-demand flexibility. The ability to intelligently respond to energy signals is no longer a future ambition - it is becoming a core requirement.

Problem

The organisation's legacy data servers were fully on-premise, relying on inconsistent and unreliable data sources that limited operational effectiveness. The existing infrastructure did not support a viable data-sharing API, severely restricting integration with modern systems and external platforms. As a result, development and maintenance efforts became increasingly costly and resource-intensive. To maintain business continuity and future-proof operations, the system requires a comprehensive modernisation effort including careful management of downtime risks and investment in a new hardware and software ecosystem.

Solution

Across multiple specialist divisions within RDS, the client received a fully integrated, turnkey IoT solutions that transforms their heating system from a traditional product into a valuable data-driven asset, while ensuring end users remain warm, safe, and supported.

RDS worked collaboratively with the client throughout the design and development phases, ensuring the solution aligned with both technical and operational requirements. This partnership has now evolved into a long-term supply arrangement, providing pre-configured heating controllers, multiple connectivity options, and seamless access to our device analytics and management platform. This was a success due to SensConnect.

Products

Heating Controller: This functions as a simple IoT Gateway. Providing automated and offline control of heating products, while being the bridge to the worldwide internet. Gateways are fully authenticated and all communication channels are securely connected to our SensConnect servers.

SensConnect Web App: The SensConnect Web App serves as the IoT platform, delivered as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution. Featuring two-factor authentication (2FA), a modern user interface, and a serverless architecture, it can seamlessly scale to support thousands of devices and users as the business grows.

Problems / Solutions / FAB

Hardware Selection: A modern IEEE 802.11 b/g/n WiFi chipset and low-cost LTE CAT-1bis 4G communications module significantly increase the range of feasible installation locations. The 7" touchscreen display provides sufficient screen space to support different user requirements while offering redundancy for data collection and local system visibility. Together, this creates a complete package for system control and rapid reporting of conditions within the home.

Security: Using AWS IoT core with mutual TLS, the in-home heating controllers are using modern security, fully compliant with PSTI 2022 and EN 18031-1 guidelines. Creating a near impenetrable communication pipeline from Edge Device to Cloud Server - the owner can rest easy in trusting the heating controller.

Digital Transformation: The SensConnect API enables secure server-to-server communication with external systems. This includes integration with energy providers to exchange Demand Side Response (DSR) data, enabling assets to automatically reduce or increase demand in order to help balance the power grid. This level of automation, combined with the creation of new data assets, brings the system in line with the requirements of the modern UK energy market.

Multi-Level Access Control: Support desk user accounts can be configured with access to specific read-only settings, reducing confusion and the risk of incorrect usage. Estate owner accounts can be restricted to viewing only the systems they own, enabling self-monitoring and reducing the need for support calls, emails to the support desk, or manual data exports.

Future-Proof UI: Different user types have different requirements. The SensConnect Core platform uses a customisable, easy-to-use widget-based system, allowing each user to configure their dashboard to suit their needs. This approach simplifies usability while also reducing long-term development costs. For example, a new summary view showing current energy costs against market prices can be developed as a single widget and deployed across any user group that requires it. This modular design ensures the system is not limited by user type, enabling the heating company to scale across a wide range of property owners without constraints on functionality or user experience.

Fleet Management: A core feature of SensConnect is its KPI-based monitoring system. Thresholds can be configured against any parameter the device is transmitting, or failing to transmit, triggering alerts directly within the dashboard. A key requirement from the field service team was the ability to generate an alert when a device has not communicated for a defined period of time. This enables potential issues to be identified proactively, allowing problems to be detected and addressed before the client is even aware of them.

Key Takeaways

• Hardware component selection and optimisation
• End-to-end product design cycle support
• Secure IoT connectivity aligned with PSTI 2022 and CRA requirements
• Digital transformation from standalone product to data-driven asset