Energy prices and production are no longer predictable. Static charging rules—fixed schedules or simple thresholds—lead to suboptimal decisions and missed opportunities for cost optimization. SENEC introduced forecast-based charging to address this. Instead of reacting to current conditions only, the system makes charging decisions based on predicted energy prices and production.
This shifts charging from reactive to forward-looking, but only if the entire system can support it.
Forecast-based charging is not a feature that can be added in isolation. It affects how decisions are made across the platform.
The system had to:
consume external forecast data reliably,
update charging logic in HEMS without breaking existing behaviour,
expose new logic clearly in the mobile app,
handle legal constraints, warranties, and user consent,
support a controlled rollout to real users.
All of this had to be introduced into an existing, production system without degrading stability or user trust.
Unravel worked with SENEC through embedded, cross-functional teams across mobile, backend, and system components. The goal was not just to implement forecast-based charging, but to make it usable, understandable, and reliable in real-world conditions.
The mobile app became the point where users interact with forecast-based charging. Users can configure charging modes, observe battery behaviour, and understand how forecasts influence decisions. This is critical as without clarity, forecast-driven behaviour can feel unpredictable.
Legal disclaimers and warranty acknowledgements are integrated directly into the user flow, ensuring compliance without adding friction.
Forecast data from external providers was introduced as a new input to the system. A central API layer was implemented to make this data consistently available across services. This removed discrepancies between components and made forecast data usable for decision-making at scale.
Charging logic in the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) was redesigned. Instead of following static rules, the system now evaluates predicted price and production conditions and adjusts charging behaviour accordingly. This turns forecast data into actual system behaviour.
Forecast-based charging introduces new legal and warranty considerations. A dedicated model was implemented to manage user consent, warranty acknowledgements, and ownership changes. All actions are tracked, ensuring the rollout remains compliant and auditable.
The feature was introduced gradually using a beta licensing model. Time-limited licenses and phased rollout allowed SENEC to validate forecast-based charging under real usage conditions before wider release. This reduced risk while enabling continuous improvement.
Forecast-based charging is now live for SENEC P4 system. Charging decisions are based on forecast data rather than static rules, enabling more efficient energy usage. Users can understand and control system behaviour, while legal and compliance requirements are handled within the product. The platform is now prepared for further optimization features that build on forecast-driven decision-making.