Consumer-led Industrial and Commercial (I&C) flexibility allows large energy consumers (factories, retailers, office blocks, data centres, hospitals etc.) to adjust their net energy consumption for short periods in response to the needs of the grid, incentivised through flexibility markets.

In the electricity market, this enables demand to respond to supply, a crucial shift as sectors move towards electrification and as electricity production shifts to cheaper, cleaner, but more intermittent, renewable sources.

Flexibility forms up a core part of the government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and is explored in depth in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap. It also delivers clear value, from reducing system costs for networks to unlocking new revenue streams and resilience for energy users. But, realising its full potential and accelerating the transition to Net Zero requires market-wide adoption.

Benefits of I&C flexibility

For grid operators, enabling flexibility can deliver:

• Reduced generation curtailment
• Reduced need for expensive grid-scale energy storage projects
• Reduced costs for grid capacity upgrades
• Alignment with Ofgem’s forthcoming RIIO-ED3 price control

For I&C Consumers, benefits include:

• Lower energy costs
• New revenue streams
• Reduced expenditure on grid connection upgrades
• Increased resilience for key consumers, such as hospitals, in times of grid stress

Data is the common thread

And yet, I&C flexibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. It encompasses a spectrum of approaches from direct demand response (where consumption is increased or decreased for a set period) to more sophisticated coordination of co-located technologies like solar, battery storage, heat pumps, and EV fleets.

What connects these approaches is data. Granular, trusted data sharing enables I&C sites to assess what options are feasible and maximise the benefits of participating in flexibility markets. Electricity networks also need real-time, high-quality data to plan and operate their networks, and to balance supply and demand. Without this, take-up of I&C flexibility will not reach its full potential, or will be costly to implement.

Sharing large amounts of data between diverse groups or organisations can lead to challenges including:

• Varying data formats, standards and semantics
• Separate representations of network assets and constraints
• Different data publication schedules
• Non-interoperable licensing and permissioning frameworks
• Issues with machine-readability
• Commercial and security sensitivities
• A lack of easy consumer data portability
• Fragmented data on existing I&C flexibility participation and performance

For I&C consumers, these barriers make it harder to identify viable flexibility opportunities and build robust business cases. This increases cost and complexity, often diverting time and investment elsewhere.

Unlocking flexibility at the speed and scale required to decarbonise the grid will therefore require a fundamental shift in how data is shared.

A data sharing scheme to accelerate I&C flexibility

The market needs a way for I&C actors to securely and easily share data with authorised parties to assess, plan and deliver flexibility at scale. Open Energy’s mission is to collaboratively define and develop a data sharing Scheme to support this, recognising that delivery is a co-ordination challenge, requiring collaboration to solve.

No single organisation can solve this alone, and implementing technical solutions without understanding the needs, constraints, and capabilities of others risks becoming an expensive exercise with unreliable outcomes.

The scheme will align with wider energy and cross sector initiatives such as NESO Data Sharing Infrastructure, RECCo Consumer Consent Solution, Elexon Flexibility Market Asset Register, Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement, and Smart Data policy), strengthening the overall data ecosystem and enabling interoperability.

Open Energy brings together energy system and I&C participants to build the data foundations for accelerating flexibility. IB1 acts as a neutral facilitator and data governance expert supported by the Energy Sector Trust Framework, a ready-to-use mechanism for governing the exchange of data in a consistent, trusted, and scalable way, without the need for centralised infrastructure.

How your organisation can benefit

If flexibility impacts your organisation, whether as an opportunity, a challenge, or a dependency, being part of Open Energy gives you a seat at the table, where the future of data sharing is being built. You’ll also help shape how the Energy Sector Trust Framework evolves to meet the specific needs of the flexibility market.

For networks:

• Contribute to, and benefit from, sector-wide alignment on data classification, licensing, and access controls
• Reduce the risk of costly inconsistencies emerging as flexibility markets mature.

For flexibility providers and aggregators:

• Access cleaner, more consistent data pipelines
• Access a governance framework that makes it easier to operate across multiple network areas.

For large energy consumers and trade bodies:

• Gain faster visibility of viable flexibility opportunities and incentives
• Access insights to support adoption and decision-making

Join us & your peers

To find out more about the Industrial & Commercial Flexibility use case, or to join Open Energy, get in touch with us at openenergy@ib1.org

And register for our upcoming webinar: https://events.humanitix.com/oe-i-and-cflex-webinar

The decisions being made now will shape the direction of the energy sector for years to come. Those helping to shape it will be best placed to benefit from the opportunities that follow.

Sara Vaughan, Co-chair of the Open Energy Steering group, framed the start of the session by pointing to a lack of alignment in the sector which might be hindering progress. At the same time, she highlighted what sets Open Energy apart from other initiatives: the involvement from regulators, who are brought into the process to support and provide continued feedback.

This collaborative approach sits at the heart of Open Energy, as it brings the sector together to co-design the rulebook for data sharing and develop Trust Frameworks that unlock the value of energy data.

The data sharing landscape

As we progressed through the webinar, Chris Pointon, Product Manager, Trust Services, reflected on what Open Energy can build upon as it evolves. Themes included wider governance areas such as assurance, common identity services, and shared data infrastructure. Key to exploring these themes are actionable use cases. These give us a tangible grasp on user needs, and allow us to develop solutions that accurately address industry and consumer pain points.

Harmonisation over Standardisation

The focus on workable use cases also made up a large part of discussion in the Q&A segment and helped attendees to understand why harmonisation, not standardisation, is needed to guide the sector forward.

“While data standardisation focuses on uniformity, data harmonisation is about making disparate data sets interoperable”

Michael Glass, Data Governance and Information Manager at SSE posed a critical question:

“DNOs all have different internal definitions and languages that they use. How do they agree on a common language?”

The answer is to pick a use case that is supported by working groups and centre collaboration around it. By starting from real-world use cases, we can reduce cost and friction for everyone.

“That’s how we harmonise. Psychologically and operationally, it’s a much easier approach.” Gavin Starks, CEO, IB1.

The results are in

Towards the end of the webinar we conducted a poll asking our participants questions such as: ‘Which of these barriers affects your confidence’ to better understand whether uncertainty around data licensing, data access, data maturity, legal risk or alignment with the rest of the sector is holding them back.

Uncertainty about alignment with the rest of the sector made up a large portion of the vote, and echoed our previous discussions on the need for harmonisation.

What’s next?

We’re at a critical moment in the UK’s history around data sharing. Government departments now have significant budgets dedicated to designing smart data schemes, signalling real momentum.

But amidst this progress, we need a coordinated effort to ensure we navigate towards the low-cost, low-friction future we’ve all set out to achieve – one where collaboration across the sector shapes the future of trusted energy data sharing in the UK and beyond.

Looking ahead, we’re encouraging continued discussion through upcoming Open Energy Working Groups. The first session will take place on Wednesday 26 November, and will aim to develop a single, DNO-backed approach to align on the language and decisions discussed during the webinar.

Whilst the form is now closed, you can still join by emailing partners@ib1.org

On February 7, 2025, Gavin presented both Perseus and Open Energy at the Green Powered Future Mission’s (GPFM) webinar. GPFM is one of several key missions established under MI, which serves as the leading intergovernmental platform for driving clean energy advancements. What’s more, MI’s broad impact – comprising 23 countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the EU) – highlights the potential reach that Perseus and Open Energy could have.

Watch the full video presentation below:

“The value here, for all of us, is to build trust with customers, enhance green finance and help SMEs on the path to decarbonisation, in a way thats compatible with the regulatory codes and standards. It will help accelerate investment impact and make it measurable … this will simplify reporting and is entirely complimentary to existing initiatives. We’re not trying to create a new standard, we’re trying to create something that can be implemented to reduce both risk, and the burden of reporting”.

Gavin Starks on Perseus at the GPFM webinar.

Join us for an enlightening webinar, designed for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We’re delving into the comprehensive report by Icebreaker One, commissioned by the British Business Bank. This session will empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to understand carbon reporting and will help you to find the right solution for your business.

Report: https://ib1.org/ecosystem/2024-carbon-reporting-solutions-report/

Video recording

What You Will Learn

• Extensive Solutions Catalogue: Explore over 270 carbon reporting tools, systematically categorised into 10 distinct types.
• Personalised Guidance: Receive expert advice on choosing solutions that align with your business’s size and requirements.
• Essential Provider Criteria: Gain insight into key factors to consider when selecting a carbon reporting solution, including cost, user-friendliness, data accuracy, and emission coverage.
• Success Stories: Learn from the experiences of other SMEs who have successfully implemented carbon reporting solutions.
• Future Outlook: Stay ahead of the curve with updates on emerging trends and how they’re shaping the future of carbon reporting for SMEs.

Why Attend?

This webinar isn’t just about understanding the landscape of carbon reporting; it’s about enhancing your business’s journey towards sustainability and net zero goals. Whether you’re starting your carbon reporting journey or looking to refine your strategies, this webinar is the key to unlocking your potential.

Event Details

Dates: Thursday 8th February 2-3pm | Thursday 15th February 12:30-1:30pm

Location: Zoom link, sign up on Eventbrite

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for SME owners, sustainability managers, and anyone interested in the intersection of business growth and environmental stewardship.

What impact does open water data have on the water sector’s ability to confront challenges arising from climate change, environmental dynamics, and evolving customer expectations? And how can companies and utilities work together to achieve success as they embark on the path to making their data more accessible?

Discussing the opportunities and challenges surrounding open data in the water sector, our panel joined environmental journalist and QTalks host Tom Freyberg to answer these questions:

• Nigel Watson, CIO at Northumbrian Water Group
• Gavin Starks, CEO at Icebreaker One
• Lewis Richards, Microsoft CTO for the UK Water Industry

Full episode available below.

Source, and text summary at

Full archive of videos: https://www.nasonline.org/programs/scientific-forum/researcher-access.html

Icebreaker One’s presentation begins at 46m 44s.

Session 4:  Privately Held Data: Opportunities, Challenges, and Lessons for Researchers from The National Academies on Vimeo.

Session 4:  Privately Held Data: Opportunities, Challenges, and Lessons for Researchers

This session will explore data collected by private companies, which often contain useful insights that can help alleviate major societal challenges including climate change, healthcare, food security, and disinformation. Accessing this data, however, can be costly, controversial, and unreliable. Solving these challenges could help unlock vast amounts of data for researchers, providing novel insights and better guidance for policymakers. With lessons from social media platforms, mobile health applications, and retailers, this session will highlight best practices for accessing data held by private companies and consider solutions to the challenges of commercial sensitivity, data protection, and emergency preparedness. Attendees can expect to leave with an understanding of the value to be gained from privately held data, topical data security challenges, and an overview of partnership-enhancing technologies.

• Gina Neff, Professor and Executive Director, Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy, University of Cambridge
• Henry T. (Hank) Greely, Professor, Stanford School of Medicine, Director, Center for Law and the Biosciences, Stanford University
• Cyndi Grossman, Senior Director, Biogen Digital Health
• Uyi Stewart, Chief Data and Technology Officer, Data.org
• Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO, Icebreaker One

https://app.livestorm.co/customer-experience-foundation/webinar-how-to-deliver-a-customer-centric-data-driven-approach-to-net-zero/live [nb: registration currently required]

Gavin’s presentation covered the systemic changes that are happening, enabled by better access to data, that require a different mode of thinking as to what constitutes ‘business as usual’, and how these relate to our net zero future.

Background

For this Webinar, CXFO partnered with Teleperformance to discuss the topic: How to deliver a customer-centric, data-driven approach to net zero.

Many UK businesses are facing a number of challenges, including rising customer expectations, the need to decarbonise, and the increasing importance of the correct use of data.

This webinar will explore how organisations can overcome these challenges and create a more sustainable future for themselves and their customers. It will also look at how UK companies can use data to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and decarbonise their operations.

Speakers

Our keynote speaker is Gavin Starks, CEO of Icebreaker One, a non-profit organisation that aims to make data work harder to deliver a Net Zero Future. The webinar will also feature participants from organisations who will share their insights on how they are using data to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and decarbonise their operations.

Data

Data is a powerful tool that can be used to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and decarbonise operations. By collecting and analysing data, companies can gain insights into customer behaviour, identify areas where costs can be saved, and develop new products and services that meet the needs of their customers.

Net Zero

The UK has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This is a major challenge, but it is one that many companies are well-placed to help meet. By using data to improve efficiency and develop new low-carbon technologies, companies can play a vital role in helping the UK achieve its net zero goals.

Customer Experience Case Study

Customers are increasingly demanding a better experience. For energy and utilities companies for example, they want to be able to access their accounts online, manage their energy usage, and get help when they need it, all through a single, easy-to-use platform. Companies that can deliver a great customer experience will be well-positioned to win and retain customers.

Why Attend?

The webinar will provide you with the latest insights on how to use data to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and decarbonise their operations.

Get the latest insights on how to:

• Improve customer satisfaction
• Reduce costs
• Increase innovation
• Enhance brand reputation
• Create more sustainable future

On Tuesday 28th March, Icebreaker One held a live webinar to urge stakeholders to join the ESG Advisory Group (join here). With the aim of assessing the environmental data in ESG reporting, we convened stakeholders from across the ESG ecosystem in a bid to unpack the barriers and opportunities within the ‘E in ESG data’.

The real economy & the financial economy

In our research, an initial issue which surfaced was the link between the real economy and the financial economy when it comes to ESG reporting. A blurred line (or more accurately, a blurred loop) exists between data on energy and utilities, and how this feeds into the financial economy in a meaningful way that is aligned with net-zero. Equally, it’s unclear how to make financial flows consistent with the real economy and how to join the dots between financial incentives and ESG reporting. To begin to address these questions, we had to go deeper than the reporting, and focus on the data itself.

Drilling into the data

ESG data comes in formats that are not always machine readable and those that are, contain poor quality data, giving rise to potential greenwashing. Additionally, ESG dataset licences are not always clearly defined, with the datasets that are open, sparsely available because most are commercialised. In short, ESG data is not perfect, with limitations in the access, quality, transparency and trust of the data.

The trust issues in ESG data were echoed by a member of the webinar, who voiced the need for open data but felt there was a lack of trust or a hesitancy surrounding it. A common problem across the ESG ecosystem, they saw that organisations weren’t sure on the issues that could arise around competition or the changing of risk profiles. The drawbacks surrounding ESG data were also highlighted in our poll, in which we asked the audience: ‘How would you rate your confidence in the quality of environmental data in ESG reporting?

While the 39 percent who answered ‘low’ was unsurprising given our research, the 33 percent who voted ‘not sure’ led to the introduction of another question – what does quality environmental reporting actually look like?

One such regulatory body who has provided guidance on effective ESG disclosures is The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). TCFD outlines seven principles: relevance, specificity, completeness, consistency over time, comparability over time, reliability and timeliness.

Despite leaving the door open for subjectivity, these principles provide some direction on what good ESG reporting should look like. As TCFD disclosures move from voluntary to a more regulated model, we can begin to assess, firstly, if these criteria are being met and secondly, if the information provided is being put to use in a method consistent with net-zero targets.

ESG advisory group

The webinar provided a focused insight on the limitations of ESG data as well as helping us understand how improving environmental data in ESG reporting could be the momentum shift needed to incorporate net zero data into the financial economy.

Through our Open Net Zero work, Icebreaker One is making net-zero data more discoverable, accessible and usable and we aim to apply this model to ESG data. In order to achieve this, we’re running a number of Advisory Group sessions, inviting input from stakeholders across the ESG ecosystem. If you’re part of the ESG ecosystem, register your interest here to shape the future of Open Net Zero and ESG data.

Where: Register here for the live webinar

About this webinar: As part of our Open Net Zero work, Icebreaker One is convening stakeholders across the ESG ecosystem, providing valuable insights on how more transparent, comparable and standardised environmental data can benefit both the planet and business. 

We’ll hear from our researchers; Sheree Hellier and Emmanuel Coker, who are working to uncover the gaps in ESG data, as well as defining the requirements for a framework for easily discoverable and accessible net zero data. 

And, as we approach one year since mandatory TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) regulations were put in place, we’ll see to what extent environmental data is becoming available and how this can be put to use in the financial economy. 

Please join us at 2pm on the 28th March 2023 to gain greater knowledge of the ESG data landscape.

What we’ll cover:

• Defining the ESG ecosystem and the goals of Open Net Zero
• The differing levels of accessibility in ESG data
• The key issues in access and comparability of ESG data
• The role of ESG data in providing a more complete view of climate risk

Who:
Gavin Starks, Founder, Icebreaker One
Sheree Hellier, Researcher, Icebreaker One
Emmanuel Coker, Business Data Analyst, Icebreaker One

If you think a colleague or sector expert would be interested in joining this event, please share it with them.

Source: https://www.thisisdesignintelligence.com/2023-podcasts/start-by-starting/

Outcomes we highlighted included Open Standards and Trust Framework(s):

1. A clear, trusted, impactful and detailed governance framework that enables government, businesses across sectors, consumers and third-party developers to understand the potential of open access to data.
2. Detailed descriptions of the application of the framework in practice, based on user needs and use cases.
3. Delivery of Search and Governance as industry-facing operational services that instil trust. 

This is part of a contribution towards the implementation of the G7 ARE’s Berlin Roadmap 2022-2025 during Japan’s Presidency of the G7 in 2023.

In 2019, the Environment Ministers’ Communique outlined the need for broad ecosystem collaboration to improve resource efficiency. The communique recognised the burden associated with complex and often divergent reporting frameworks. It also envisioned product-level, transparent emissions reporting and data exchange across the value chain.

The Berlin Roadmap for the G7 Alliance on Resource Efficiency (G7 ARE) (2022-2025) emphasizes the need for the exchange of granular, high-quality environmental information to prevent greenwashing. The roadmap leverages best practices and identifies gaps and pain points that hinder progress.

G7 goals and legislation
The G7 is aligned in its ambitious goals to decarbonise, drive resource efficiency and enhance biodiversity, and it acknowledges the pivotal role that these goals play in achieving sustainable development.

Discussions have included:
• the status quo and challenges concerning the exchange of product data
• the role of cooperation in addressing gaps and potential synergies in ongoing initiatives
• how can policymakers support progress

Imagine a world where accurate, trustworthy data flows easily around the world, helping decision-makers take bigger, bolder and more accurate steps towards net zero.

https://stateofopencon.com

But what does the data tell us? How does data help us understand climate change, and how can data infrastructure and data sharing can help us to tackle it in the next decade and beyond?

The ODI’s Emma Thwaites discusses data and climate change with Gavin Starks, founder of Icebreaker One. Gavin was also the founding CEO of the ODI, running it from ‘start-up plan’ in 2012 to 2016.

Source: https://www.theodi.org/article/data-decade-data-and-climate-change

About this webinar:
Icebreaker One has partnered with the Data Communications Company (DCC) to run a feasibility assessment of an open, standards-based approach for a Smart Meter Data Repository.

This is part of a Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) project to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of a Smart Meter Energy Data Repository, to quantify the benefits and costs of such a repository, and to simulate how it could work.

Access to energy data – including smart meter data – is vital for a flexible, digitalised, and decentralised energy system. The Energy Digitalisation Taskforce report recognises data as being crucial to the delivery and operation of a net zero energy system, and acknowledges smart meter data as a key dataset is not effectively flowing.
Watch this webinar to hear more about the SODA project and how smart meter data can help us all to achieve net zero.

Who:
Kathryn Corrick, Development & Strategy Director, Icebreaker One
Matt James, Head of Strategic Innovation, Smart DCC
Michael Bird, Researcher, Icebreaker One
Gea Mikic, Programme Director, Icebreaker One

This fireside chat, streamed live from COP27, addressed the importance of and need for positive collaboration, highlighting the fundamental, complementary role both of the private and finance sector and policymakers in achieving our climate goals. By creating clarity on how both sets of actors can contribute to the net zero transition, and what policies can optimise the contribution banks can make to the decarbonisation of the real economy, the objective for the session was to enable policymakers, banks and industry to most effectively drive the economy to a net zero future. 

Moderator:

• Heather Buchanan, Director & co-founder, UK Bankers for Net Zero

Confirmed panel:  

• The Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 
• Natalie Blyth, HSBC, Global Head of Commercial Banking Sustainability
• Will Jackson Moore, PWC, Global ESG Leader

The future of sustainability reporting with Icebreaker One

Our financial institutions are investing and managing trillions of dollars towards a lower carbon future.  As regulatory and net zero policies increase, today is the simplest things are going to be. We must address the scalability of trusted, verifiable and comparable reporting. At the moment global initiatives are pushing towards delivering a lower carbon future but they cannot yet prove that we will actually hit net zero. We need to improve access to data at scale, to improve its quality, reliability and assurance to ensure we move away from estimations.

This fireside chat, streamed live from COP27, with Gavin Starks from Icebreaker One addressed the core reporting challenges faced by organisations today and how Icebreaker One is helping deliver Bankers for Net Zero’s new programme of work that will deliver rapidly scalable, low-effort, low-friction sustainability reporting for SMEs.

About this webinar

In 2017, Arup defined its group data strategy. For the first time, it integrated the firm’s deep data expertise with Arup’s commitment to net zero and the Sustainable Development Goals.

This in-depth conversation between Volker Buscher, Chief Data Officer at Arup and Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO at Icebreaker One, will look at what it takes to develop a data strategy in a business committed to net zero.

It covers:

• What is a data strategy, and why have one?
• How Arup developed its data strategy
• What it takes to align data and sustainability expertise on an executive level
• Insights from Volker’s experience
• How a shared data ecosystem supports Arup’s approach to big data

Their conversation contains vital insights and advice for anyone in a data or sustainability leadership role.

It includes:

1. What did we set out to achieve?
2. Demo
3. Use cases: how we got there and who was involved?
4. Policy & governance: what we did and why was it important?
5. What were the outcomes and how are we evolving the service?
6. What can you do to get involved? 

For more information, and to join, please see https://openenergy.org.uk

What:

As our energy system transitions to net zero, Distribution Network Operators are in a period of major change. Digitalisation and data management, net-zero strategies, and performance against price controls are all competing for space on a packed agenda for DNO leaders.

This event brings together experts to analyse a fast-moving regulatory environment, look at how DNOs are responding, and how Open Energy can help.

Speakers

• Gea Mikic, Programme Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Sara Vaughan, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Elexon
• Charlotte Hillenbrand, Product Strategist, Icebreaker One
• Liam Bennett, Senior Manager – Data Policy and Regulation, Ofgem

If you think a colleague or sector expert would be interested in joining this event, please share it with them.

Open Energy has been supported in-part with UK Government funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and BEIS.

A panel of experts gathered to discuss the emerging pressures and priorities for DNOs and the wider energy system, in Icebreaker One’s January webinar hosted by Open Engagement Manager, Vichi Chandra.

“We can’t talk about anything happening in the energy market without thinking about the current context of rising gas prices, the current cost of living crisis, and what that means to people” says Dhara Vyas, Deputy Director, Energy UK. “High prices are – rightly – driving the media narrative right now and that has meant a significant shift away from the UK leading the way on decarbonisation and net zero, to the current cost of living crisis which impacts on everyone. 

“However, I think there is a significant, real concern that this should not mean we put the brakes on our journey to achieve a net zero system. It’s really important that we think about this in the context of the consumer.”

Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data Management, UK Power Networks highlighted the role of DNOs in making this happen: 

“We need to accelerate the connection of low carbon technologies and maximise their use in order to contribute to net zero ambitions. At the same time, we must maintain our core role of ensuring the continuity and quality of energy supply. We cannot lose sight of the fact that we need to keep the lights on”.

Matt Webb, UK Power Networks

A period of transformation

January’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce report made a number of key recommendations detailing what is required to deliver a digitalised and decarbonised energy system.

“One that stood out to me was the call to embed a culture of digitalisation and I think that’s really important”, said Dhara.

“It’s essential that companies across the market are planning for a digital system when it comes to building the right skills and investing in digital assets and activities. DNOs are of course a vital part of that infrastructure, and the networks in fact have a much better understanding of the state of the system than perhaps a lot of other parts of the sector; so it’s vital that they share that across the market in order to help us build the system of the future”

Dhara Vyas, Energy UK

It’s a viewpoint shared by Matt. “Digital transformation is as much about culture, behaviours and ways of working. And that’s where we as a sector need to shift to be more open and collaborative. We talk about interoperability a great deal; and that’s about how we align and standardise and facilitate communication and interaction between the different players in this ecosystem. 

“The RIIO ED2 business plans that we as DNOs have published in recent months, go into significant detail about how we plan to invest and develop our digital capabilities over the coming years, right the way through until 2028. We find ourselves at a really pivotal and important point in terms of how we meet this ongoing challenge, and ultimately deliver the interoperable energy system of the future that we are all aiming for”.

The shift that is required of DNOs, and the wider energy system as a whole, is significant. As Matt explains, “in normal terms, what a DNO is and does, is quite monolithic. And all of a sudden, to find yourself in a central, facilitating role is a big change to make. Traditional network operation entails fairly passive and predictable systems, and we’re now moving into – and are in the midst of – a far more dynamic environment. We need to help facilitate new forms of service, service providers and business models; increasing competition and consumer choice as well as supporting a flexibility first approach”.

How Open Energy can help

Open Energy is a service that makes it easy to search, access and securely share energy data. It covers the full spectrum of data; all the way from open data to really hard to access, commercially sensitive shared data, where access control is important. The Open Energy service currently includes search and access control, co-designed over the last 18+ months by industry, for industry, with support from and engagement with BEIS, InnovateUK and Ofgem (who sit as an observer on the Open Energy Steering Board).

Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO of Icebreaker One, states:

“The approach that we’ve taken with IB1 and the development of Open Energy has been to ask what are the market design principles for data sharing that can scale to whole markets, and across sectors? This has led the teams to understand how to reduce the friction, and connect data between organisations, without insisting that anyone has to put their data in a particular place. Secure data exchanges are made possible by the adoption of open standards and a shared data infrastructure that underpins cohesion and interoperability across the market.

Gavin Starks, Icebreaker One

“What we’ve been focussing on is the really valuable information that tends not to be Open – and in many cases can’t be Open. As soon as you need a set of rules around that, there needs to be a set of legal contracts and a set of processes whereby the control around who can access what recommendations, when, and so on, can be codified. There’s a lot of work there on how we can give that Access Control to the people who hold the data. 

“Whether or not that’s a business-to-business context or whether it’s a consumer context; the mode of consent, the process of consent management, and rights assignment to the data are all miles away from what organisations are used to thinking about and dealing with. So there’s a massive amount of work to be done in helping to understand the problems that everybody’s trying to solve, both in terms of infrastructure, but also in understanding what the rules are and how we can bring people together so that we end up with an open marketplace”.

What are the opportunities here for DNOs?

Matt says: “When it comes to data, commerciality is certainly one of those factors we need to think about, and we need to be cognisant of the fact that we work in an increasingly competitive market. However, we need to recognize that we are part of an ecosystem now where that commercial data is key. The key to that is us working collaboratively and trying to establish the common processes and practices that make sure that we’re making consistent decisions.” 

Dhara agrees that a whole-system approach is needed: “we have identified all the pieces of the puzzle but now we need to put them together”.

“It’s not just about DNOs but everyone in the sector; the challenge is manifold” adds Gavin. “Leadership needs to come from various different points of the system – government and market leaders – and a lot of the innovation will come naturally from large organisations and smaller start-ups. The question is: how can we do all that together? 

“What we’ve tried to create here with the Open Energy programme is space for that to happen. So ultimately we’re here to help bring people together, have the right conversations and really focus on where that business value is and how that interlinks with the overall data strategy; both for individual organisations and for the sector as a whole”.

Get involved

• Become a member of Open Energy to use our pilot service
• Join Icebreaker One, which develops and operates Open Energy, as a supporter
• Sign up to the Open Energy newsletter

Archive video:

What:

Our January Open Energy webinar will explore what a DNO could look like by 2030, as the UK strives to digitalise its energy networks and cut emissions by 68% as part of the Paris Agreement.

Considering the decade ahead, our panelists will discuss imminent questions such as the challenges and opportunities that digitalisation and net zero bring for the energy sector and the role of DNOs in the transition process. They will offer their unique perspectives on how demands on DNOs are likely to change, including from other energy system actors as well as Government and regulators, and the cultural shifts required inside the energy ecosystem over the next few years.

Speakers:

• Vichi Chandra, Open Engagement Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Gavin Starks, Founder, Icebreaker One
• Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data, UK Power Networks
• Dhara Vyas, Deputy Director, Energy UK

If you think a colleague or sector expert would be interested in joining this event, please share it with them.

Open Energy has been supported in-part with UK Government funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and BEIS.