PV panels or a heat pump? We developed an additional advice module for the Woningpas

Step 1: collecting all the data. Like the data from the EPC, for example, the energy report of a building. There were several data points like this that we had to bring together. That data was scattered among different parties.
Together with VEKA, we mapped all data sources. We then made APIs that retrieve and standardise all that data from the various (government) bodies. Not a straightforward job, as the data is often structured differently. Some energy cooperatives, for instance, still work with manual processes and Excel lists.

Step 2: drawing out and integrating a decision tree. 

Pieter Swennen, solution engineer at ACA Group: “Using all that data, we made a query that determines whether a heat pump or solar panels are interesting for a house. Is that the case? Then, along with the advice, we also show municipal actions based on the postcode. Such as group purchases or neighbourhood initiatives.” 

Step 3: visualisation. As accessible and clear as possible. So that the effort for the owner to take the next step is as small as possible.

As a result, the user receives: 

Pieter: “This project was a home match for us. About eight years ago, we ourselves developed the digital platform for the Woningpas. Since then, we have kept on developing. With new features, new modules and new integrations... Today, we are still reaping the benefits of the strategic choices we made back then. There is a solid foundation on which we can build further.” 

“As for any project, we started with a pre-analysis, because there are different ways to go about this module. Thanks to such an analysis, we are sure that the functional and the technical are optimally aligned. And that we are making the best possible choices for VEKA.”

Some musts for this project:

“The Woningpas is a shared initiative. VEKA acts as product owner, but that does not take away from the fact that there are a lot of stakeholders. That is why we organised several demo moments in which energy houses and energy cooperatives could provide their feedback.” 

This allowed us  to further refine the user experience and functionality. “At the same time, it aligns all parties involved. That is why at key moments, we as a developer come to the foreground. Together with VEKA, as one team.”

For VEKA: a single point of contact and one partner for everything development-related. From briefing to delivery. From strategic choices to implementation. And a partner that works closely with all parties involved: government bodies, cooperatives, design agencies, etc.

Tine Vande Casteele, project manager at VEKA: “ACA Group helped us enormously with a flexible and scalable application. We can later easily incorporate new initiatives. The collaboration was very transparent and efficient, with a strong focus on quality.”

For the cooperatives: a greater reach. Previously, they had to go door-to-door or communicate with the help of different municipalities. Now they can reach a larger audience through a reliable government platform.