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NETWORK / 15 / APRIL 2018 I n the modern world, everything we do generates data - from shopping; to posting on social media; internet browsing; or using an Oyster card which can be analysed to identify trends and insights about the way we live. In fact, data has even been considered to be the new oil in terms of its worth, and the way it now drives new economies. So what does smart telecommunication and data have in common? Data is the foundation of smart telecommunications, it is what makes smart telecommunications bene• cial for both the industry and consumers through increased e• ciency such as through the use of smart meters. But what does this mean for the energy industry, and particularly the way energy networks power our homes and businesses? To understand the role that smart telecommunications pose on the en- ergy industry, • rst we have to under- stand it: "Smart telecommunications is the integration of technology to improve the transmission of communi- cations and networks through innova- tion and data production." Technology is a great innovator and can be used to provide useful insights in communica- tions for the energy network. This is a focus ENA have found to be hugely bene• cial as it allows members to better respond to the large challenges energy networks are facing, particu- larly around the uptake in distribution of energy resources (DER) and decarbonisation of heat and transport, our members are increasingly turning to data analytics to provide solutions. With that in mind, ENA has set up relevant member working groups that aim to deal with the demands of analysing large amounts of data. We are taking a hollis- tic approach by determining what data energy networks would value, if in an ideal world it was available to them; and looking at what data we already have and what we can use it for. For example, trends identi• ed in existing data can be used to improve maintenance and replacement regimes. Several of our members are already recruiting skilled data scientists to take on the role of analysing data to draw from it meaningful information that can be put to use keeping our energy networks secure and reliable for customers. Meanwhile, technologically, there is at the lower voltage levels, a need for increased network monitoring capabilities. While this already happens to a certain extent at the higher voltage levels, at the low voltage levels, far more measurement equipment and associated smart communications infrastructure, particularly that which oŒ ers remote and real time reporting capabilities is needed to allow the networks to respond to customer needs by operating in a much more e• cient and dynamic manner. The roll-out of the smart meter programme across the UK is the perfect opportunity for networks to gain better visibility of the grid; the increasing amount of distributed generation connected in recent years, and in the future increasing levels of electric vehicles and storage, means it has become increasingly important to ensure the grid is operating as e• ciently as possible. Access to smart meter data will greatly increase visibili- ty of the network and allow greater e• ciencies that will help to forecast energy demand/generation, reduce the need for unnecessary reinforcement and allow networks to deliver improvements where they are most needed. In the long-term, there is also potential for data sharing arrangements from non-traditional sources. The increase in use of electric vehicles is one area where potentially very useful data could be shared between car manufacturers and energy networks; for example, location of units sold, or data related to battery charg- ers, could be used to eŒ ectively operate the networks and predict trends related to future reinforcement. Our members are increasingly interacting with custom- ers on social media platforms. In the future, analytics driven by AI will be able to help detect trends from content customers are posting. Imagine that an unexpected interruption prompts a surge in Tweets about a loss of power; in the future such data could provide valuable information to networks. In our modern data driven world, energy networks are rising to the challenge of continuing to deliver safe, reliable energy to power our homes and businesses. This essential task is becoming more complex as more and more DER is connected, heat and transportation are decarbonised and the grid expands, and energy networks are developing data strategies that will enable them to meet these challenges while deliver- ing better service to customers. "Several of our members are already recruiting skilled data scientists to take on the role of analysing data to draw from it meaningful information that can be put to use keeping our energy networks secure and reliable for customers." SMART TELECOMMUNICATIONS: DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES RANDOLPH BRAZIER, HEAD OF INNOVATION, ENERGY NET WORKS ASSOCIATION