Company:Flow Energy
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| Type | Public Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utility company |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Ipswich , United Kingdom |
Area served | England Scotland Wales |
| Products | Gas Electricity Boilers Energy Solar panels |
Number of employees | 241 |
| Website | www |
Flow Energy is an energy company in the United Kingdom .[1] Flow Energy launched its domestic energy supply service in April 2013,[2] supplying gas and electricity to homes throughout the UK.
The company has also developed a household electricity-generating boiler. The Flow boiler provides heating and hot water and also generates electricity, using patented technology, to be used in the household.[3] Due to changes in subsidy support in the UK, efforts for commercialisation of the Flow boiler are now focused on the European market.
Overview
Flow Energy is part of Flowgroup plc, an energy innovation and services company listed on the AIM exchange on the London Stock Market and founded in 1998.[4] Its headquarters is in Ipswich, Suffolk.
In April 2014 Flow Energy launched its domestic energy supply service.[5] At the end of 2015 Flow Energy exceeded 100,000 home energy customer accounts.[6] This sector of the UK economy is dominated by a number of larger companies such as the Big Six Energy Suppliers (UK). Flow is considered as one of the emerging set of smaller suppliers.[7]
In December 2015 the company announced a deal with Shell Energy Europe to provide access to wholesale energy - gas and electricity – without the need for significant levels of collateral to be deposited. The deal was designed to enable growth in the company’s energy supply business and increase the customer base for its product and services.[8]
In April 2018 Flowgroup plc announced its intention to sell Flow Energy to Co-op Energy for £9.25 million. Flowgroup had previously sold its boiler technology business to focus on energy supply.[9]
Boiler
The company has developed a household boiler that feeds back electricity to the local National Grid. The Flow boiler provides heating and hot water whilst also generating low carbon electricity for the household using its patented MicroCHP (Combined Heat and Power) technology.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
Flow’s boiler was originally manufactured by Jabil Circuit Inc (“Jabil”), one of the world’s leading OEM manufacturing partners.[16] However, Flow’s relationship with Jabil has now ended as the Flow boiler is no longer available in the UK. Jabil has been paid £4m to allow Flowgroup to exit the contract.
The boiler was designed in Capenhurst near Chester and manufactured in Livingston, Scotland.[17] In July 2014 the company opened its research, training and development facility in Runcorn, Cheshire, where Gas Safe registered engineers undertake surveying, installation and aftercare training programmes to become accredited installers of the Flow boiler.[18] However, with the change in focus for the Flow boiler to the European market, this centre has now closed and Manufacturing has now stopped, Jabil has been paid £7m to allow flowgroup to exit the contract.
Smart Products
In March 2016 the company launched a range of connected home devices including a smart thermostat, smart plugs and an energy consumption monitor. The devices are controlled and monitored through a smart phone app or an online panel and offer customers extra control over appliances and energy usage, as well as savings on energy.[19]
Awards
In March 2015 Flow Energy was awarded a Real Business Everline Future 50 award, in the Environment and Sustainability category, for being one of the most disruptive British businesses of 2015.[20]
In 2016, Flow Energy was one of only two energy suppliers to be awarded Which? Provider of the year 2016.[21] Flow Energy was awarded Which? Recommended Provider status following comprehensive analysis of Flow Energy's policies, pricing, communications, customer service and complaint handling. The assessment process also included a survey of Flow Energy's customers which generated a Which? customer score of 73%, the overall industry average is 53%.[22]
References
- ↑ "Energy firm set to create 700 new jobs in Ipswich through launch of ‘game-changing’ gas boiler". Ipswich Star. http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/energy_firm_set_to_create_700_new_jobs_in_ipswich_through_launch_of_game_changing_gas_boiler_1_3827399.
- ↑ "Flow Energy launches its first ever tariff". Energy Linx. http://www.energylinx.co.uk/news/2013/04/flow-energy-launches-its-first-ever-tari.html.
- ↑ "Could a boiler that generates electricity be the answer to cutting energy bills?". This is Money. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2803561/Flow-Energy-set-launch-boiler-generates-electricity.html.
- ↑ "Who are we - Flow Energy". Flow Energy. http://www.flowenergy.uk.com/who-we-are/.
- ↑ "Flow Energy launches its first ever tariff". Energy Linx. http://www.energylinx.co.uk/news/2013/04/flow-energy-launches-its-first-ever-tari.html.
- ↑ "Energy companies reviewed: Small energy companies". Which?. http://www.which.co.uk/energy/saving-money/guides/small-energy-companies/flow-energy/.
- ↑ "Energy minnows’ market share up 50 per cent". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/6654666/Big-Six-energy-suppliers-facing-stiff-competition.html.
- ↑ "Flowgroup's subsidiary signs Shell deal". Yahoo! Finance. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/flowgroups-subsidiary-signs-shell-deal-094700557.html.
- ↑ Jillian Ambrose (10 April 2018). "Cash-strapped Flow Energy sells out to Co-op". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/10/cash-strapped-flow-energy-sells-co-op/.
- ↑ "Boiler that generates electricity 'could cut power bills by £500". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2810404/Boiler-generates-electricity-cut-power-bills-500-Mini-power-station-provide-heating-hot-water-fuelling-generator-appliances.html.
- ↑ "Hi-tech boiler generates £500 'free' electricity - would it work for you?". Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/energy-bills/11253072/Hi-tech-boiler-generates-500-free-electricity-would-it-work-for-you.html.
- ↑ "The new boiler that generates electricity for the National Grid". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/17/new-boiler-generates-electricity.
- ↑ "A British company has invented a boiler that generates electricity as well as heat". Business Insider UK. http://uk.businessinsider.com/flow-energy-launches-boiler-that-produces-electric-power-2015-1.
- ↑ "Flow boiler can cut energy bills and generate power". Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/flow-boiler-can-cut-energy-8082610.
- ↑ "Flow taking orders for its revolutionary electricity-generating boiler". Connecting Industry. http://www.connectingindustry.com/energymanagement/-flow-taking-orders-for-its-revolutionary-electricity-generating-boiler-.aspx.
- ↑ "Flowgroup starts volume production". Telegraph Investor. http://telegraphinvestor.moneyam.com/news/article/4925263/Flowgroup-starts-volume-production.html.
- ↑ "low Energy’s money-saving electricity-generating gas boiler to become available in January". 247 Home Rescue. https://www.247homerescue.co.uk/flow-energys-money-saving-electricity-generating-gas-boiler-to-become-available-in-january/.
- ↑ "Flowgroup plc (LSE:FLOW) Share Price". Interactive Investor. http://www.iii.co.uk/research/LSE:FLOW/news/item/1500590/final-results.
- ↑ "Flowgroup launches connected home product range". Stock Marketwire. http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/5223438/Flowgroup-launches-connected-home-product-range.html.
- ↑ "50 of the most disruptive British businesses in 2015". Real Business. http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/29499-50-of-the-most-disruptive-british-businesses-in-2015_29499.
- ↑ "Energy companies reviewed: Small energy companies". Which?. http://www.which.co.uk/energy/saving-money/guides/small-energy-companies/flow-energy/.
- ↑ "Flow Energy awarded Which? Recommended Provider status". London Stock Exchange. http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FLOW/12662127.html.
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