Battery Storage Solution: Constellation Empowering Energy Efficiency

Vision Work, UX Design, Content Strategy, Visual Design

What is Battery Storage?

Constellation's battery storage solutions are designed to help businesses manage energy costs and improve operational efficiency. Battery storage is a technology that allows energy to be stored in batteries for later use. By storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak times, battery storage systems help businesses and homes optimize their energy usage, reduce reliance on the grid, and enhance resilience against power outages.

CHALLENGE:

Customers in various markets face high electricity costs, limited control over these costs, and a lack of awareness of potential strategies such as peak shaving. Additionally, many do not have the time or resources to make operational adjustments that could significantly reduce energy expenses. Constellation sought to create an intuitive digital solution to educate and empower customers to understand and leverage battery storage for cost savings and energy efficiency.

RESULTS:

Developed an interactive, educational MVP tool that enables customers to visualize potential cost savings through battery storage and peak shaving.
Enhanced customer engagement by simplifying complex energy concepts.
Provided actionable insights for energy managers, operations teams, and finance departments.

PROTOTYPE:

Battery Storage Solution Landing Page

My Role

Lead Product Designer - responsible for the UX/UI design, wireframing, and prototyping of the battery storage solution. I collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the product met user needs and business goals.

Worked alongside a great group that included a Product Manager, Data Scientist, UX Researcher, Developers, and Marketing Specialist.

Team

Tools Used

Figma, Excel (for data analysis), Miro (for brainstorming sessions)

Timeline

4 months

The Approach

Understanding the Space: Conducted research to grasp core energy concepts, focusing on transmission, demand charges, and battery automation.
Defining the Audience: Identified key user personas such as energy managers, operations staff, and finance teams, understanding their routines and pain points.
Digital MVP Development: Brainstormed and converged on key "How Might We" (HMW) questions to guide the solution. Prototyped and tested the MVP to ensure usability and effectiveness.
Prototype Review: Gathered feedback from stakeholders and iterated on the design based on user insights.

Educate users on peak shaving and battery storage benefits.
Enable quick understanding of cost-saving opportunities.
Drive leads to sales through an intuitive digital tool.

Objectives

Interactive MVP prototype
User flow wireframes
High-fidelity designs
Documentation for development handoff

Deliverables

Audience Analysis & High-level Thinking

Final Prototype Design

UX Enhancements

Clear Story Flow:
The user journey is thoughtfully structured, guiding users from understanding basic concepts (like load shifting and peak shaving) to interacting with their own data. This approach educates before engaging, making complex information more digestible.
Interactive Visualization:
The design effectively uses data visualization tools, such as graphs and load profiles, to help users see the impact of battery storage on energy costs. This hands-on interaction reinforces learning and fosters deeper engagement.
User-Centric Design:
By considering varied personas (energy managers, finance teams), the design caters to both novice and experienced users. Features like customizable data inputs and scenario adjustments ensure the tool is relevant for diverse audiences.
Simple, Intuitive Navigation:
The clear navigation layout minimizes cognitive load, making it easy for users to find what they need without feeling overwhelmed. Strategic placement of CTAs also helps maintain focus on key actions.
Learn-Then-Play Approach:
This dual-phased interaction model is brilliant. First, it educates users about concepts, then allows them to manipulate data. This structure ensures users are informed before making decisions, enhancing both understanding and retention.
Responsive Feedback Loops:
Immediate visual feedback when adjusting variables (like energy usage or battery investment) empowers users to see real-time outcomes, fostering a sense of control and engagement.
Data Personalization:
The tool’s ability to adapt based on user data (e.g., commercial load estimates) adds significant value. Personalized insights make the experience more relevant and impactful.