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14 | 28Th FEbrUarY - 6Th March 2014 | UTILITY WEEK Research tic and renewable energy measures." • "Location and demand." Verbatim responses from DNOs included: • "Remote sensoring and monitoring so they can be interactive with the grid in times of high demand or the grid is under pressure/stress; usage aware appliances, home automation." • "As long as DNOs can correlate readings to a location and suitable data protection schemes are in place, data can be utilised for smart grid." It is not just in the formal exchange of addressing data that communication can break down. Respondents also identified the potential for difficulties to arise in the rollout from a lack of communication or collabora- tion between suppliers, with 71 per cent fore- seeing a problem here. Conclusion While our research shows broad confidence that the smart meter rollout is deliverable, this confidence diminishes in the more detailed and complex areas. For example, respondents say they are confident they have the addressing information they need, but acknowledge that they are not currently able to identify or deal with more complex units, such as multiple dwelling units or difficult meter locations. For the smart meter rollout, it appears that the devil really is in the detail. Respondents are conscious that com- munication and collaboration between mar- ket participants will be crucial for a timely and efficient rollout, and represent an area of potential weakness. They see a need for market participants to exchange information and are not clear on the processes by which this will happen. There is strong support for the wider use of an industry-wide standard premises identifier, such as the UPRN to assist data exchange and increase industry efficiencies. The full report is available to download at: www.utilityweek.co.uk Methodology The objective of this research was to evalu- ate the quality of addressing data available to the energy market as it prepares for the SMIP. Utility Week and Ordnance Survey, via independent market researcher Insight Advantage, sent an online questionnaire to senior decision-makers (typically heads/ directors of smart metering, CIOs, systems architects) across all major energy suppli- ers and distribution companies in fourth quarter of 2013. We also contacted senior decision makers at government bodies and relevant industry associations. We had input from 33 respondents. Respondents were guaranteed confi- dentiality. Consequently, all responses are reported in aggregate only, and all quotes from survey respondents are anonymous. summary Of market attitude tO addressinG infOrmatiOn which market participants will need tO exchanGe addressinG infOrmatiOn tO effect the smart meter rOllOut? please select all that apply suppliers dnOs meter installers dcc decc Ofgem Other participants 92% 88 % 72% 52% 32% 16% 4% hOw strOnGly dO yOu aGree Or disaGree with each Of the fOllOwinG statements. i anticipate difficulties with the rOllOut due tO… Confidence in a timely rollout is far from universal… …and yet there is a level of confidence that accurate address information is accessible However, this confidence is challenged on a number of levels… • the inherent need to exchange information is complicated by communications issue • varying address standards • multiple sources of address information • strong support for a uprn and links to databases • then, there is the challenge of customer apathy Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Agree strongly Neither agree/disagree Key: an inability to meet the demanding timescales 71% 38% 57% 67% 67% avg a lack of communication or collaboration between suppliers a lack of communication or collaboration between suppliers and dnOs a lack of communication or collaboration between market participants an apathy or reluctance to co-operate among consumers 10% 14% 57% 14% 14% 24% 33% 24% 24% 14% 19% 10% 43% 33% 24% 24% 19% 48% 14% 10% 10% 5% 5% 5% 5%