Energy provider AGL Energy (AGL) has partnered with Microsoft to deploy an innovative, cloud-powered data platform that enables AGL to provide Consumer Data Right services to consumers. 

In compliance with Australia’s rigorous Consumer Data Right (CDR) legislation, AGL’s partnership with Microsoft will empower consumers by providing new ways for AGL to deliver personalised customer experiences. 

The CDR, which was passed in 2019 to give consumers more control over their data, ruled that consumer data can only be transferred securely between accredited industry providers and accredited third parties using an automated data technology system that is strictly regulated by the Australian Government. 

When the CDR was extended to apply to the energy sector, AGL was one of three initial energy retailers required to have a compliant and operational CDR solution in place in order to facilitate customer requests to share their data with accredited third parties. 

Microsoft reported that AGL built its own CDR solution using the Microsoft Cloud following extensive marketplace research, and collaborated with Microsoft partners, government agencies and external software-as-a-service providers. 

“As custodians of our customers’ personal information, it’s critical that we had a platform in place to facilitate a secure exchange of their data on the CDR marketplace,” AGL Chief Technology Officer Hugh Fahy said. 

“Our partnership with Microsoft, in collaboration with other external partners, and our team’s extensive experience using the Microsoft Cloud enabled AGL to build a flexible, cost-efficient and compliant CDR platform in just 12 months and within the regulatory timeframe.” 

AGL’s CDR solution is said to allow the energy provider to scale in order to accommodate anticipated growth in the number of consumers wanting to share their energy data and compare deals in the CDR ecosystem. 

AGL also reports that their CDR solution may also allow them to unlock potential growth opportunities if the company decides to become an accredited data recipient (ADR), such as recruiting more customers to participate in AGL’s Virtual Power Plant scheme and offering customers personalised and innovative services. 

“We’re proud to have supported AGL’s data transformation project with a secure, scalable and compliant solution in the cloud,” Microsoft Australia and New Zealand Enterprise Lead Jo Dooley said on AGL’s latest innovation. 

“Microsoft is committed to helping other organisations understand their CDR responsibilities and bring their own innovative solutions to life.” 

Source: Microsoft News Center. Content has been edited for style and length. 

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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