Utility Week

10 | 4TH - 10TH OCTOBER 2019 | UTILITY WEEK Better access to quality energy data has major implications. Granular data about energy networks and their generation capacity can improve optimisation and help deliver energy more consistently and reliably. It can facilitate the cross-vector provision of energy by improving understanding of the ability to shift demand from one energy source to another, for example gas to electricity using hybrid heat pumps. More comprehensive data on network assets can make it easier to forecast investment needs. Dr Richard Dobson, practice manager – data systems, at the Energy Systems Catapult who helped develop the EDT report, told Flex: "Having more data on networks can help scenario planning of what would happen. If for example we had a 30 per cent uptake in electric vehicle users in a local area, how would the system handle that?" When systems data is cross-referenced with customer demand data, even greater value can be extracted, he says: " ere may be services that consumers want to purchase that are also good for the energy system, such as heat as a service, or managed EV charging, whereby the customer can plug in wherever they want and the system knows the specific car and the associated account to be billed." A greater focus on digitisation can improve regulatory oversight, says Andrew Burgess, deputy director of energy system transition at Ofgem: " e more useful data that we can analyse and interpret, the better the information we have to regulate the industry. Data helps us make better decisions in our price controls, understand the money that regulated monopolies need in future and 1 Network infrastructure data Network data (including network maps and logical network models) is a fundamental enabler for efficiency and innovation. Understanding where the network is, how it is connected and the limitations of the system is key to optimising the system operation, develop new business models (DSO transition, flexibility markets, local energy markets, peer to peer markets, etc.) and driving technology innovation. AMBER Data exists for the high voltage/pressures but not at lower voltage/pressures and the data is not generally openly available 2 Consumer needs and preferences Understanding consumer needs and preferences is absolutely critical to enable the sector to develop low carbon solutions which consumers want to buy. AMBER There is a need for more research but robust data collection processes exist, such as the ESC Living Lab (open and paid) 3 Granular demand data Granular consumer and industry demand data is vital to many critical industry processes and a range of new business models. RED Many 'non-smart' meters still exist, the Smart Meter Implementation Programme is progressing but access is difficult and many innovative organisations are choosing to recollect data rather than integrate 4 Geospatial data Data which describes the layout and characteristics of the physical world including the location, size and shape of buildings and road network are vitally important for planning, building and operating energy systems. GREEN Data is of high quality and is widely available (open and paid) 5 Distributed energy resource data Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are increasingly common and there are a number of registration portals but there is no consistent dataset which provides an accurate view of all assets and their capabilities. Greater accuracy and accessibility of DER data would enable growth of flexibility / local energy markets, optimisation of investment and improved system operation. RED Some sources exists but the data is incomplete, inconsistent and not readily accessible – the removal of the FIT register has made this situation worse. The EDTF recommendation 4 addresses this point 6 Network capacity and constraint data Network capacity and constraint information is the result of a blend of network monitoring and modelling. is information is critical to streamline the connections process, identify opportunities for innovation and drive investment into the right locations within system. AMBER Some high-level information available but it is inconsistent and not frequently updated what they have to deliver in return for that money. e better data that is provided to flexibility providers the more we will start to see better value alternatives to traditional approaches to running the network, which will save money for all consumers." P l u g g i n g g a p s e EDT report warns that data in the energy system is often of poor quality, inaccurate, or missing, while valuable data is often restricted or hard to find. To address these shortcomings, it recommends the setting up of an asset registration strategy to coordinate the registration of energy assets, and a unified digital system map of the energy system to increase the visibility of infrastructure and assets. e latter recommendation reflects a wider goal set by the NIC to create a digital system map of all UK network infrastructure and ultimately a national digital twin of network infrastructure. e work is being led by CDBB under which the Digital Framework Task Group, which recently published its first output, The Gemini Principles. is paper sets out proposed principles to guide the national twin and the information management framework required to enable it. Sarah Hayes, project director for regulation at the NIC, who was also on the steering group that helped develop the EDT strategy, told Flex: " e information management framework will bring together industry standards bodies, technology companies and consultants, etc to develop a common language for data about infrastructure across the built environment. It's roots are in building information Data Dozen Dr Richard Dobson, practice manager – data systems, at the Energy Systems Catapult, lists the top types of data the energy sector needs for transformation – and how close we are to getting it.

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