Utility Week

5 ISSUE 02 FEB/2019 Data analytics will drive transition Data analytics will have the biggest impact on the industry's transition, according to a survey conducted for Utility Week Live (UWL). Respondents were asked to rate technologies on a scale of 1 to 10, with data analytics receiving the highest average score of 7.6, the research carried out by Insight Advantage found. e UWL survey looked at the current impact of technology in facilitating transition. Respondents were asked to rate 13 technologies and data analytics came out on top, while blockchain technology was considered to have the least impact. Across all the technologies tested, the average tipping point for mass take-up is expected to be 2027. For data analytics, take-up is expected to be ahead of the curve in 2023. But many energy firms are already taking great strides to streamline their data processes. e use of "big data" systems to monitor, analyse and automate production, management and demand is not a new concept for the energy industry. In addition, the rise of customer-centric products and services for energy monitoring and automation provides utilities with further data, capabilities and insights. To read the full report on technology and transition or to find out more about Utility Week Live, which is taking place on 21-22 May 2019 at the NEC in Birmingham, visit www.utilityweeklive.co.uk All sectors face the same challenge but energy is pretty far back. How will the task force solve these problems? We are investigating how to create a data index, not a library, but an index of all energy data with clear metadata standards and the ability to search, discover and understand what is out there. We are particularly excited about housing it (the index) outside the energy sector so we can crowd in all sorts of other data sets, like Land Registry and the Ordnance Survey, that inform the energy sector. Energy data is fine but it's the interaction with the wider world that provides the value. How will the index help efforts to optimise the energy system? Across the network there is a lot of data that needs to be utilised more effectively. It will reveal where the assets are needed and where they are not. We are going to have to demand a lot more data when it comes to [making decisions about] infrastructure. Are you looking at any overseas models? Australia has mapped a digital model of its whole energy system so you have all the infrastructure and assets, etc. It's not a digital twin because that requires all the operational data, but we are talking about moving towards a digital twin. What business opportunities will greater access to data deliver? We see innovators using it in quite an extensive way. We feel it will deliver new markets, facilitating locational and just-in-time markets. How will the task force encourage the industry to give up its data? ere are a lot of gaps and with the FiT [feed-in tariff] coming to an end, there's going to be more. We are proposing a platform that will allow these assets to be registered. If you want an equable price and want to be able to export [electricity on to the grid], you will have to register. e stuff that is regulated data I see as my data, it's the state's data. I feel it is a perfectly reasonable proposition // We are investigating how to create a data index of all energy data with clear metadata standards and the ability to search, discover and understand what is out there // Laura Sandys, chief executive, Challenging Ideas TECHNOLOGY AVERAGE SCORE 1. DATA ANALYTICS 7.6 2. SMART ASSET MANAGEMENT 7.0 3. ENERGY STORAGE 6.7 4. SMART METERS 6.7 5. THE INTERNET OF THINGS 6.7 6. SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY 6.6 7. ELECTRIC VEHICLES 6.4 8 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 6.4 9. LOW CARBON HEAT 5.5 10. ROBOTICS 5.4 11. WATER METERING 5.0 12. WATER REUSE 4.9 13. BLOCKCHAIN 4.7 to have other data: if we are paying a subsidy to an onshore wind farm, I see that as my data too. I don't believe these assets should be hidden if we are serious about optimisation. ere will be an incentive for those a little further way from the subsidised or regulated sector to provide their data so they can benefit from decentralised balancing, but without providing that data they can't get access to the market. is is for government to mandate: it needs to help optimise the system, and across the network there is a lot of data. What will this mean for consumer data? We are focusing on energy system data rather than consumer data. It's nothing around GDPR, it's to do with optimising the system. Infrastructure data isn't too sensitive but operational data is more sensitive. We think there are quite a few proxies for demand data, making smart meter data less important. Is the group looking at lessons from outside the energy sector? We have people from outside the sector. It's a pretty interesting group of people who are stretching us further than the sector is used to. is is a journey and we're not going to crack it in one go, but hopefully the sector will be unrecognisable in five years' time.

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