Engie B-Power
About The Project
ENGIE, a leader in the electricity supply sector, embarked on a transformative journey with its solar panel subsidiary, Mypower, to revolutionize the customer experience in solar energy usage. This initiative led to the creation of the B-Power module and a sophisticated companion app, designed to make solar energy management intuitive, engaging, and part of daily life. The project stands as a beacon of user-centric innovation, significantly enhancing the perceived value and efficiency of solar panels for homeowners.
Date
2020
Role
Lead Product Designer
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ENGIE, a leader in the energy sector, approached with a critical mission: to significantly enhance the customer journey within its solar panel subsidiary, MyPower. The brief was clear yet profound: « How can we deeply understand our customers and elevate their experience? » This question laid the groundwork for a project that required a meticulous understanding of user needs, pain points, and the intricate dynamics of the solar energy market.
Insight and pain points.
The journey began with an in-depth qualitative research phase, where interviews with users shed light on the core issues they faced. This process was not merely about gathering data but about empathizing with the users, understanding their daily interactions with solar panels, and the obstacles that hindered their experience. The insights were revealing:
Utility Recognition: Users expressed a desire to comprehend the tangible benefits of their solar panels, highlighting a gap in perceived value.
Navigating Intermediaries: The complexity of dealing with various stakeholders, from insulation experts to installers, emerged as a significant pain point.
Data Comprehension: A common challenge was the complexity of data presented by the Mypower app, which many found overwhelming and non-intuitive.
Engagement Timing: Interaction with the system was sporadic, often limited to billing periods, indicating a lack of ongoing engagement.
Performance Optimization: A notable gap in user knowledge was how to maximize the efficiency and output of their solar panels.
The Solution
Bringing Solar Power into the Home with B-Power
The first part of the solution was the conceptualization of the B-Power module, a tangible representation of the user’s solar investment. Designed as a compact device with an E-Ink display and battery, it could be effortlessly integrated into the home environment, whether magnetically attached to a refrigerator or perched on a shelf. This device was not just a tool but a daily companion, offering real-time insights into solar panel performance, providing actionable advice, and engaging the entire household in energy conservation. This approach aimed to demystify solar energy, making the invisible, visible, and the intangible, tangible.
A Comprehensive App for Empowered Users
Complementing the B-Power module, a sophisticated application was developed to offer a deeper dive into energy consumption and savings. This app was designed with user-centricity at its core, featuring:
Home Dashboard: A visual representation of the solar panels’ performance, encouraging daily interaction.
Simplified Data: Offering users the flexibility to view their consumption in financial or energy units, catering to diverse preferences.
Enhanced Customer Support: A revamped ticketing system aimed at providing a more relatable and straightforward support experience.
Engagement Through Challenges: Introducing missions and tips to not only optimize solar panel usage but also educate users on sustainable practices.
Customizable Module Display: Allowing users to personalize the information displayed by the B-Power module, enhancing the user experience.
The Impact
Recognition and Beyond
The project’s innovative approach to addressing user needs and enhancing the solar panel experience did not go unnoticed. The B-Power module and its accompanying app received accolades for their ingenuity, user-centric design, and contribution to promoting sustainable energy use. More importantly, this project exemplified how design and technology can come together to solve real-world problems, making sustainable living accessible and engaging for all.
