Utility Integration Guide

Step-by-step instructions for connecting your UK utility providers to automatically track energy consumption and emissions.

What You'll Learn

  • Prerequisites and requirements
  • Authentication setup
  • Data mapping configuration
  • Testing and validation
  • Monitoring and troubleshooting
  • Best practices

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have:

Account Requirements

  • Active Carbon Recycling Platform account
  • Business account with your utility provider
  • Account administrator permissions

Information Needed

  • Utility account number(s)
  • Meter point reference numbers (MPRN/MPAN)
  • API credentials (if available)
1

Choose Your Utility Provider

We support 50+ UK utility providers including the Big Six, challenger brands, and green energy suppliers.

Major Suppliers

Green Suppliers

Challenger Brands

Don't see your provider? We're constantly adding new integrations. View all 50+ providers or contact us to request your utility provider.

2

Set Up Authentication

Option A: API Integration (Recommended)

For providers that support API access, this provides real-time data synchronization.

OAuth Setup (Most Providers)

  1. Log into your Carbon Recycling Platform dashboard
  2. Navigate to Data Ingestion → Add New Integration
  3. Select your utility provider from the list
  4. Click "Connect via API"
  5. You'll be redirected to your utility provider's authorization page
  6. Grant permission for data access
  7. Return to our platform to complete setup

API Key Setup (Select Providers)

  1. Log into your utility provider's business portal
  2. Navigate to API settings or developer section
  3. Generate a new API key with read permissions
  4. Copy the API key securely
  5. In our platform, paste the API key in the integration setup
  6. Enter your account number and meter details

Option B: Manual Data Upload

For providers without API access, upload monthly bills and meter readings manually.

Supported Formats

  • • PDF bills (auto-extraction)
  • • CSV data exports
  • • Excel spreadsheets
  • • Manual data entry

Upload Process

  • • Drag & drop files
  • • Automatic data validation
  • • Review before import
  • • Monthly reminders
3

Configure Data Mapping

Map your utility data fields to our carbon accounting categories for accurate emissions tracking.

Data Type Common Fields Carbon Category Emission Factor
Electricity kWh, Units, Consumption Scope 2 - Location-based 0.193 kgCO2e/kWh
Natural Gas kWh, Therms, m³ Scope 1 - Direct 0.184 kgCO2e/kWh
Renewable Green kWh, REGO certificates Scope 2 - Market-based Provider-specific
4

Test Your Integration

Validation Checklist

Data Quality Checks

  • Historical data imports correctly
  • Consumption values are reasonable
  • Emission calculations are accurate
  • Date ranges align with billing periods

System Integration

  • API connection is stable
  • Sync frequency is appropriate
  • Error handling works correctly
  • Notifications are configured

Sample Test Results

Integration Test Results: Octopus Energy
✅ Authentication: SUCCESS
✅ Data Retrieval: SUCCESS (247 records)
✅ Data Validation: SUCCESS
✅ Emission Calculations: SUCCESS
⚠️  Historical Gap: Missing data for Dec 2024 (manual upload required)

Total Monthly Consumption: 2,450 kWh
Estimated Emissions: 473.85 kgCO2e
Data Quality Score: 94/100
5

Go Live & Monitor

Enable Monitoring

  • Set up automated sync schedules
  • Configure email alerts for sync failures
  • Enable data quality monitoring
  • Set up monthly reporting schedules

Best Practices

  • Review data weekly for accuracy
  • Keep backup of important credentials
  • Update integration when changing suppliers
  • Monitor for API changes and updates

Common Issues & Solutions

Authentication fails during OAuth setup

Possible causes:

  • Account permissions insufficient
  • API access not enabled with utility provider
  • Browser blocking third-party cookies

Solutions:

  • Contact your utility provider to enable API access
  • Try authentication in an incognito window
  • Ensure you're using the account administrator login
Data sync returns zero or incorrect values

Possible causes:

  • Account numbers or meter references incorrect
  • Data mapping configuration issues
  • Utility provider API changes

Solutions:

  • Verify account details match your utility bill exactly
  • Check data mapping settings in integration config
  • Contact support if API responses have changed
Integration stops working after initial setup

Possible causes:

  • OAuth token expired
  • API rate limits exceeded
  • Utility provider system maintenance

Solutions:

  • Re-authenticate the integration
  • Check sync frequency settings
  • Review error logs in the integration status page

Need Help?

Our support team is here to help you get your utility integrations up and running smoothly.

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