ERÚ: We developed a web portal with an energy comparator

The public procurement set a different mode of operation

In public procurement, not only the delivery itself is important, but also the path to it. At the beginning, we therefore established clear rules for collaboration, responsibilities, and the transfer of outputs, so that it was clear at every stage who is responsible for what.

At the same time, it was a project within the program of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, so it had a research and development dimension in addition to the delivery. It was not enough to just build a comparator – it was also important to set up a methodology for working with data and calculations, so that the comparisons were created according to clearly defined rules.

Use of the state design system 

We built the interface on the state design system to make the comparison as understandable as possible for users and consistent with other digital services of the state. Thanks to proven components and rules, we achieved accessibility and a unified visual language across the entire portal more quickly – from input data entry to the details of the offer. 

The entire project runs on the open-source platform Orchard Core 

The administrative background of the comparator runs on Orchard Core – an open-source platform on which we have been creating websites, portals, and internal applications for a long time. For ERÚ, this means one thing: administration does not rely on a "one-time solution tailored only for this project," but on a proven foundation that can be safely developed further. We provided a clear environment for managing data and content, which allows for the setting of roles and access, while also keeping the door open for further expansion of functions – without having to delve into the entire system each time. 

Orchard Core also gives us the space to use our own extensions and procedures that we have verified from other projects. Thus, ERÚ has a stable tool for managing and developing the comparator – and we have technology that will not hold us back in the future.

We designed the comparator to be usable by anyone 

The public part of the comparator has a clear goal: to allow the average user to easily compare market offers based on their consumption. Instead of lengthy forms, we opted for simple choices, understandable terms, and logic that guides the user forward once all essential information is filled in. 

We also consider that not everyone always has precise data at hand. The platform can therefore also work with scenarios where the user does not know certain information – yet still needs to obtain an approximate and comprehensible result. 

Administration keeps data and rules in one place 

In order for the comparator to be maintained in the long term, it needs a solid foundation. All data is therefore managed uniformly in the administration, imports run there, and parameters that affect the results are set. This allows changes to be made in a controlled manner, in one place, and it is clear what has been modified and when. 

The public part of the comparator then serves as a clear interface for users – results are calculated from the products and price lists uploaded by suppliers.

We have defined how energy suppliers should submit their offers into the system 

The comparator is useful for citizens and businesses only if it contains current offers. Therefore, as part of the solution, we also built a section for energy suppliers. They can register in the system and manage their products and price lists. They go through a process that gives the Energy Regulatory Office control over what is published and when. 

The system allows for the setting of roles, permissions, and displays changes made, ensuring they are always traceable.  

We have prepared data for reality: imports, checks, and various types of inputs 

For the comparator, a simple rule applies: when the input breaks down, the result breaks down as well. Therefore, we also considered the practical side of data management – imports, storage of documents, checks, and validation.  

Thanks to automated notifications, responsible individuals have a constant overview of the status of uploading new data.  

At the same time, we are preparing automatic extraction of selected data from user documents (e.g., from invoices) to eliminate the need for manual entry of consumption or searching for suppliers. 

Public API 

The solution also includes a public API that allows for the secure and uniform access to selected data and outputs (e.g., offers, price lists, and related parameters) for further downstream use. This enables ERÚ to easily publish current information beyond the website while maintaining the same rules and validations as in the administration. 

We continue to develop the project at a regular pace 

The launch of the comparator was not the end for us. We are in regular contact with ERÚ, continuously addressing adjustments, expansions, and further steps. Our shared goal is clear: to keep the comparator in a state that allows it to function long-term, maintain the quality of outputs, and manage further development without needing to rebuild it in a few years. 

Do you want to collaborate with us? 

Do you need a similar system that relies on data, rules, and can produce verified outputs – whether in public administration or in a commercial environment? Contact us. We will discuss your requirements and propose the next step.