FAQs
Our answers at a glance
Data basis
digikoo configurator en
digipad en
General
Where does the data that digikoo uses come from?
In order to carry out the calculations for heat planning as accurately as possible, we use as much data as possible from various sources. Some of the data is freely accessible, for example from federal, state and local statistical offices, land surveying offices, the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the Federal Employment Agency, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, etc. We obtain other data sets from corresponding service providers, for example geodata such as that used in landscape planning. Data collected by customers, such as municipal utilities, is also included. This broad database allows us to make very precise calculations.
How is data security guaranteed when purchasing data?
Data security is a priority for us. Therefore, digikoo only works with business partners if they can guarantee that the data has been collected in compliance with the GDPR and may also be transferred. Of course, digikoo itself checks the legality of the transfer again strictly in accordance with GDPR aspects in order to guarantee data security. In particular, this concerns compilations of data from public registers such as statistical offices and corresponding service providers.
How valid is the data?
The data shown on the heat map is depersonalized and anonymous, as we pay strict attention to data management and the use of generated data to ensure that it is transmitted and processed in compliance with the law. The statements made in the heat map are therefore probabilities that are calculated from the available data using the finest analysis grids. These values are to be understood as tendencies or guide values.
Is there a quality check for the data?
Of course, we check the quality of the data and only work with service providers who can guarantee us a stable level of quality in the long term. Nevertheless, there are, for example, buildings without an assigned data value. This may be due to a fundamental lack of data, or the building may be located in a new development area and data is not yet available. Nevertheless, our aim is to have data that is as complete and comprehensive as possible. Therefore, regularly updating our databases is a central task for us.
Do customers receive information about the data used?
digikoo guarantees complete transparency: we naturally disclose the origin and quality of the data.
How up-to-date is the data at digikoo?
Our data is the foundation of the heat map. That is why we have the greatest interest in keeping it up to date. However, this does not take place at specific intervals. Instead, we update our datasets when new data is available and its quality has been assured.
Can I report data errors?
Of course - you are helping us! Please report data errors at hello@digikoo.de This is how you contribute to quality assurance.
What is meant by socio-economic data?
This is data that relates to social and economic circumstances. Examples include marital status, income, educational qualifications and the like.
What is meant by building and behavioral data?
As the name suggests, building data is data that relates directly to the building. This includes, for example, floor space, heat demand and consumption, grid connection and building use. Behavioral data records the behavior of people, for example with regard to different types of consumption or their mobility.
Where does individual data come from?
The variety of possible individual data sources is large. These include, for example, very different public data sources such as cadastral data, building data or photovoltaic data, as well as data from corresponding service providers.
Who developed the algorithm?
The algorithms used are developed in digikoo's data science department. Methods from classical statistics are applied. This means that transparent models are explicitly used to ensure that the results can always be explained and understood. An important aspect here is that the results are reproducible and remain reliable from a scientific point of view.
Which interfaces are used for imports and exports?
Files can be exchanged in various formats: as text, as geo-data or as flat files. Direct connection to customer systems such as customer databases is also possible. Classic connections via application programming interfaces (API) are also possible.
Can the long-term quality of the data be guaranteed?
The data sources used will remain available, with the same or even improved quality.
What is the status of the individual data sets?
The data sets are kept permanently up to date. Different data is updated at different intervals - some weekly, others monthly, others quarterly.
Can the database and the data it contains be extracted and used individually?
The data can be extracted and provided by us or we grant access to our infrastructure and the option of querying via SQL. As a rule, however, we focus on the service of generating insights and information from this data or further processing the data for our customers.
Are only the data from households being considered or also the heat/electricity requirements of industry?
Both household and industrial requirements are taken into account.
What does the Configurator offer? What is the USP?
The Configurator allows users to create customized scenarios based on parameters they define themselves and their own vision of the future. Furthermore, users can create individual heating concepts for their municipality in order to compare the economic efficiency, social compatibility and sustainability of the scenarios and make informed decisions.
How does the Configurator work? How do I use it?
First you create a scenario, whereby you can adjust the parameters or select and customize one of our or your ready-made templates. Several scenarios can be created and compared later. Then you create a concept in which you select the municipality or city to be considered and activated for you, one or more scenarios and the desired support years. You can also use your own concept as a template. Finally, download your concept and view the results in a .pptx file.
What is the difference between a scenario and a concept?
A scenario comprises all relevant parameters and values in the areas of socio-economics, energy, economy and environmental factors. Based on one or more scenarios, a concept is created algorithmically that takes into account individually adaptable municipalities or cities and support years and enables a comparison between the scenarios.
Can I rely on the predefined values? Where does this data come from?
Yes, the predefined values are based on studies and expert opinions and are continuously updated. However, you have the option of adjusting the predefined values and making your own assumptions.
Can I compare several scenarios?
Yes, when creating the concept you can select several scenarios and then compare them with each other.
Why can I no longer edit my scenario?
Scenarios can no longer be edited once they have been used to create a concept. However, you can create a new scenario and use the desired scenario as a template.
Can I include additional parameters in my scenarios?
No, all relevant parameters are available in the Configurator. If you still consider other parameters to be important, you can contact us at hello@digikoo.de.
Can I integrate additional support years into my concepts?
No, you can only choose support years from the years 2024, 2030, 2035 and 2040.
Where can I view my concepts?
To view your concepts, you need to download them and can then open them as a .pptx file. In future, you will also be able to display your concepts on the interactive map of the digipad 2.0.
Can I download my concepts in a file format other than .pptx?
Currently, concepts can only be downloaded as .pptx files.
Why can't I select all municipalities and cities?
The selection of municipalities and cities is restricted by contractual obligations and data protection regulations to ensure the highest standards of data protection.
Why are some fields grayed out when creating the scenario? Why can't I edit certain fields?
Gray fields are predefined and can only be adjusted on the previous pages.
How do I contact support?
For support requests, please contact us at hello@digikoo.de.
Can I get a test account?
Yes, you can get a test account. Simply contact us at hello@digikoo.de.
What do I get as a customer when I purchase a license for the digipad?
The heating transition is a complex, large-scale economic, political and administrative project. The specific form it will take is set out in the heat planning that each local authority will have to draw up and submit in the coming years. Many very different circumstances and requirements have to be taken into account. A gigantic task.
The digipad is software that supports you in this. It gives you the opportunity to present future scenarios in the areas of energy, transport and heating - as locally as necessary. The digipad provides individualized views and all decision-relevant findings in high data quality - and with the option of integrating your own real data. Customers therefore acquire a product tailored to their specific needs - exactly as we have defined it together with you.
What makes the digipad stand out?
The digipad is unique in many respects: it offers a simplified visualization that is intuitively understood and very clear. The focus is always on the core aspects, such as flexibility and maximum data quality.
The system is flexibly expandable and can be individually adapted, ensuring continuous further development. It provides a meaningful representation and enables the comprehensive analysis of various areas of the energy transition - from individual energy sources to heat and mobility. Other relevant areas such as grid infrastructure and cadastral data are also integrated.
We are particularly proud of the fact that the digipad uses an extensive database as standard. This means that digipad provides customers with indispensable added value.
Is it possible to get trial access?
Yes, we will be happy to set up a test account for you. Simply contact us at: hello@digikoo.de
How reliable are the digipad's predictions?
As digikoo's data sources are made up of high-quality public and service provider data sets, the predictions are highly reliable.
This is based on data from real estate portals, home inspections or the census, for example, as well as data from state statistical offices. This data is constantly updated and made available to customers in our database. By processing our digikoo database with real customer data, our simulations become even more accurate.
What can the digipad do that a geographical information system (GIS) cannot?
You can work intuitively with the digipad - without the need for special knowledge that is required when using many GIS systems.
In contrast to the digipad, the GIS system requires more complex adaptations. The digipad also already contains data that is missing in the standard GIS system; this would therefore first have to be integrated in a complex and comprehensive manner in order for it to achieve anything like the results of the digipad.
What is behind the digikoo Lab?
The digikoo Lab is the so-called development environment. It is a digital workbench for working with the database.
What is behind the digikoo configurator?
The digikoo configurator offers our users a tool that makes it easy to enter or adjust key figures for the heating concept without any specific prior knowledge. Relevant parameters and values can be adjusted to create a suitable heating concept based on individual assumptions.
What is behind the digikoo dashboard?
The digikoo dashboard automatically provides a breakdown of the key KPIs for the generated case numbers. This information can be used as a basis for decision-making.
What are the digikoo concepts?
The digikoo concepts describe the possibility of planning different scenarios and thus achieving individual concept-based preliminary planning for the heating transition.
At what interval is the data updated?
The interval varies between weekly and monthly, depending on the data set. This ensures that the data is up to date without the customer having to worry about it.
How do I obtain the digipad?
You subscribe to the digipad. This subscription can be canceled annually.
Why should I choose the digipad?
The digipad impresses with its functions and the possibility for users to create concepts and decision-making bases independently. The application is very flexible, offers the option of integrating additional and individualized data and has a high level of data security. The results are of a high quality and can be adapted quickly and easily if necessary. Users also praise the intuitive handling of the digipad.
What contribution does digikoo make to the heating transition?
digikoo sees itself as an enabler of the heating transition: It supports stakeholders by making future scenarios predictable and therefore calculable. The company thus creates the basis for decision-making, on the basis of which the regional heating transition can be shaped precisely.
What customer groups are served by digikoo?
Our customers include municipalities, cities and regions. They also include energy suppliers and grid operators as well as energy planners and consultants.
What solutions and products does digikoo offer?
digikoo is the digital core of the energy infrastructure provider Westenergie AG. We provide information that enables municipal utilities, local authorities, grid operators and energy supply companies across Germany to shape their climate transition with a comprehensive range of solutions. This consists of the innovative digipad, a state-of-the-art heating concept and the pioneering InGA technology for grid-friendly control of the charging infrastructure.
What is digikoo's mission?
We are convinced that climate-neutral cities are the decisive basis for a sustainable world. To achieve this, we need the cooperative collaboration of many players. With the help of our solutions, we can support them in making optimal decisions and thus help shape the regional heat transition.
Which cooperation partners does digikoo work with?
digikoo cooperates with renowned and innovative partner companies such as Nexiga GmbH, envelio GmbH and E.ON One. These cooperations expand our ability to offer first-class solutions and bundle the knowledge of experts from the energy and network industries, data science and data engineering.
Are the heating requirements of industry taken into account?
Yes, non-residential buildings (trade, commerce, services, industry and municipal properties) are also part of the database and are taken into account for holistic heat planning.
The data basis can change quickly - for example due to new buildings or new framework conditions. Can the digipad stay up to date here?
The digipad remains up-to-date thanks to the continuous development of functions and features. In addition, all relevant parameters are regularly updated.
Legal requirements in climate and energy policy, for example in the Building Energy Act, can change. Can digikoo's forecasts still be kept up to date?
Legal requirements in climate and energy policy, for example in the Building Energy Act, can change. Can digikoo's forecasts still be kept up to date?
Is it possible to integrate data from existing resources such as energy sources into the planning and concepts?
Any type of data provided can be integrated and processed. Which data is available on site and is relevant is discussed in a planning meeting.
Are existing gas pipelines included in the forecasts?
Gas pipes can be integrated and displayed in the digipad just like electricity and water pipes or fiber optic cables.
How individual can the forecasts created with the digipad be, for example with regard to profitability?
Whether the implementation of heat planning is economical or not depends on various parameters that are different for each individual project. The digipad offers the advantage that such data can be incorporated into the calculations on an individualized basis. For example, the specific costs and cost developments for refurbishment or energy on site are taken into account.
Is the level of detail in the analysis of networks also possible for heating networks?
This is possible - and not only for heating networks, but also when considering broadband networks, for example. The prerequisite is always that the relevant data is available.
On what basis are the scenarios developed for the future?
The heat map evaluates individually for each building in which year a heating change appears to be economical. This profitability calculation of a possible heating change therefore decides when and which heating technology is used.
How can I start a joint project with digikoo or use digikoo products?
We will be happy to discuss your request with you in a completely non-binding initial meeting. We will discuss the possible solutions digikoo can offer based on your requirements. Please feel free to contact us at: hello@digikoo.de
What is included in digikoo's service portfolio?
It includes the digipad, the heating concept and InGA (Intelligent Grid Application) for grid-friendly control of the charging infrastructure. Individual adaptations are also possible - depending on your specific requirements.
What happens to my data after the duration of my project?
It is possible to export your project data completely. Your data will be deleted from our servers at the end of the term for data protection reasons.
Do you offer training and support for the products?
Yes, we offer you appropriate support for our products as well as product documentation and manuals. Individual training courses can also be booked with us. Please feel free to contact us at: support@digikoo.de
How is user feedback dealt with?
All feedback is carefully analyzed, as it can be an impetus to make adjustments. Your feedback helps us to improve. After all, all users benefit from innovations or adjustments that are inspired by user feedback.
Can I continue to use my exported data in my own system?
After exporting your data, you can also use it in your own system.
