What gap did you see in the market that inspired the creation of The OAK Network, and how are you making energy optimisation accessible for SMEs?
We saw that most energy solutions were built for large enterprises—with long contracts, complex hardware, and expensive consultants. SMEs were left behind, despite making up 90% of UK and EU businesses and facing growing pressure to cut emissions. OAK was created to change that. Our goal is to democratise energy optimisation through a concierge model: fast setup, simple pricing, and insights that speak the language of business, not engineering.
Many SMEs lack visibility into their energy use. How does your AI-powered dashboard turn raw data into actionable recommendations, and what kind of savings can customers realistically expect?
Raw data is overwhelming. We turn it into prioritised recommendations, using AI to flag unusual usage patterns, underperforming assets, and avoidable waste. For example, we can identify overnight baseload issues, ventilation inefficiencies, or scheduling mismatches—then guide you step by step.
Most customers see 5–15% reductions in the first 6 months, without any major capital investment—just smarter use of what they already have.
You don’t sell tech, but rather services based on the data you collect. Can you explain how this model works and why it’s effective for enabling net-zero strategies?
Exactly—OAK isn’t a box on the wall, it’s a service built around your data. We plug into your existing energy infrastructure—whether that’s smart meters, BMS, and can add IoT sensors—and combine real-time insights with expert guidance.
This model keeps clients focused on outcomes, not tools. Because we’re not selling hardware, our only incentive is to drive measurable savings, simplify compliance, and accelerate your journey to Net Zero.
From compliance automation to predictive maintenance, The OAK Network seems to offer more than just monitoring. What does a typical customer journey look like, from sign-up to savings?
We start with a free historical energy analysis, identifying your baseline and untapped opportunities. Then we guide you through setup—either using existing meters or installing low-impact sensors.
From there, the journey is concierge-led:
- Month 1–2: Live dashboard access, tailored reports, SECR/ESOS automation
- Month 3–9: Optimisation insights, behavioural nudges, carbon tracking
- 9+ months: Investment-grade proposals, clean tech rollout (e.g. solar, storage), and access to green financing
Throughout, we walk alongside you—not just with tools, but with proactive support.
You mention performance-based financing and green infrastructure upgrades. How does the data you collect help clients access funding and long-term sustainability investments?
Funders need proof and ROI. We provide it.
Our platform generates the evidence base that unlocks financing—quantifying energy waste, projecting ROI, and validating performance over time. Whether it’s for rooftop solar, Batteries, EV charging, or lighting upgrades, we help package the right data to de-risk investments and support ESG-linked funding applications.
For clients, this means turning insights into action—without upfront capital.
You’ve deployed your solution in hospitality, manufacturing, and more. Can you share one or two success stories that highlight your real-world impact in terms of savings and emissions reduction?
Certainly. One of our hospitality clients—a multi-site group—used OAK to uncover persistent HVAC inefficiencies across its portfolio. Within 3 months, we helped them implement scheduling changes and low-cost fixes that cut energy use by 12%, saving thousands annually.
In manufacturing, we partnered with a site consuming over 1.2M kWh/year. Our analysis highlighted excessive night-time baseload and poor equipment cycling. After deploying operational changes, they achieved a 15% reduction in electricity use and aligned their reporting for SECR.
