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NETWORK / 32 / JUNE 2018 NET WORK/CYIENT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION T he decarbonisation of the energy system is driving energy networks to become smarter, more flexible and more closely integrated. This transformation will be fuelled by data. Without knowledge of what is happening on their networks, operators will be unable to squeeze the most use out of their assets, and keep the UK heated and powered at the lowest cost to consumers. At a roundtable hosted by Network last month, industry figures came together to talk over some of the issues they face around data. The first topic for discussion was the ways in which networks will use the data they collect going forward. Several attendees noted that distribution network operators are missing informa - tion they now need to know about their Dealing with data Network Magazine and Cyient recently hosted a roundtable discussion where the subject of proactive data management being the key to the future energy system was discussed. Tom Grimwood reports. assets, because many of them were installed decades ago when recording this data was deemed to be unnecessary. They said mak- ing inferences from newly collected data, including that from smart meters, could enable them to fill in these blanks. Participants said another important use for data will be establishing whether new connections can be accommodated on net - works. Response times for specific requests can be reduced from weeks to just minutes. Data can also be used to produce projec- tions that can be distributed to potential connections customers. Furthermore, they said the growth of new technologies such as electric vehicles, distributed renewable generation and more energy efficient appliances is leading to the breakdown of the old demand assumptions on which the operation of the power grid is based. Data can be used to refresh these assumptions. Attendees said one of the main chal- lenges they face is establishing a "single source of truth" from data they collect. Much of it is siloed within different files and IT systems and needs to be brought together. As part of this, they said data should be separated from the systems in which they reside. The rapid pace of change in the sector means the lifespans of individual IT systems are likely to become shorter over time. Data needs to be more easily transfer - able between the old and the new. They said geospatial information systems are becoming increasingly important to the use of data by networks. They are no longer just digitalised maps used to provide information to third parties. Instead, they