How our energy contracting options and tools work together to unlock value for large businesses

Navigating a complex and ever-changing energy environment can feel overwhelming. However, as a Shell Energy customer, there are different types of contracting options, as well as programs such as Demand Response, that can help you gain more control over your business energy costs.

For example, if the electricity grid is experiencing peak demand – such as during a heatwave – then your business could be paid for curtailing its energy use if it’s enrolled in a Demand Response (DR) program.

In addition to short term price volatility, the electricity market also experiences longer term contract price fluctuations. This is where an option like progressive purchasing can help to lessen the risk of locking in long-term electricity prices when they are at a high point.

Shell Energy customers can benefit from electricity solutions to help your business gain more control, navigate the energy environment with confidence and unlock extra value.

How do Shell Energy’s retail solutions combine to deliver energy value?

STEP Online and STEP Index: progressive purchasing to manage market timing risk

Our progressive purchasing contracting options, which include Strategically Timed Energy Procurement (or STEP) Online and STEP Index, allow large commercial and industrial businesses to proactively manage energy procurement. They do this by giving large businesses the flexibility to either progressively purchase electricity over the length of the contract period, in the case of STEP Online, or automate procurement at regular intervals, as in the case of STEP Index.

STEP Online and STEP Index could add value to your business and help you navigate a challenging energy environment with the tools to help avoid locking in an energy price for the term of the contract when the energy market is at a high. They do this by smoothing out exposure to energy market volatility over the length of the contract.

Renewable Energy Contracting Options (RECO): meet sustainability goals simply and flexibly

RECO helps your business meet its renewable energy goals simply and conveniently via the Shell Energy Portal. When you make a RECO purchase, Shell Energy buys Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) from accredited renewable generators and surrenders them on your behalf.

While tools like RECO make purchasing renewable energy simple and easy, they may add extra value to your business particularly in times when supply of LGCs are high.

Using RECO, your business may be able to achieve its renewable energy goals sooner by capitalising on periods when the price of LGCs is low. If your business has sustainability reporting requirements, RECO is a great way to concretely demonstrate your commitment to supporting Australia’s energy transition to renewable energy sources.

Demand Response (DR): turn peak demand events into a revenue opportunity

Demand Response programs are where energy users are financially rewarded for curtailing their energy use during periods of high demand. Typically, periods of high demand in the wholesale energy market tend to coincide with high electricity spot prices.

Enrolling to participate in a DR program is one way your business may access additional revenue and lower its electricity bills.

How do I know which Shell Energy solution is right for my business?

Energy is complex, but Shell Energy’s innovative contracting options and electricity solutions are designed to take the complexity out and make unlocking the maximum amount of energy value as simple as possible.

Your account manager can help assess which option could help your business unlock extra energy value.

After all, there’s a reason our account management team have been consistently rated number one for customer satisfaction for large business electricity customers 15 years in a row, according to the independent Utility Market Intelligence (UMI) survey.

To learn more, reach out to your account manager or energy advisor today.