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.

Please note that throughout this consultation, Icebreaker One uses the terms Open, Shared and Closed data as defined here.

If you have any questions about our submission or require clarifications please do not hesitate to contact us via policy@ib1.org.

Consultation response:

Regarding paragraph 3.36 in the Statutory Consultation on the RIIO-3 Licence Drafting modifications – reasons and effects document:

Generally IB1 supports a common Digitalisation Re-opener to encourage digitalisation by allowing network companies to seek funding for data and digital related projects with a broader scope than just IT hardware or software upgrades and to align with RIIO-ED2.

IB1 supports digitalisation as key for energy sector decarbonisation, and required for the investment in flex services and the coordination between sectors who rely on energy to meet their decarbonisation targets (water, transportation, built environment, industry).

IB1 supports sector-wide convening and governance to ensure digitalisation happens in a coordinated manner and can enable ‘whole system solutions,’ as promoted in RIIO-ED2 and realise the subsequent cost savings. IB1 supports Ofgem to continue to promote and finance whole system digitalisation coordination in RIIO-ED3.

As there are many ongoing data sharing and data governance initiatives e.g. consumer consent solution, flexibility services, Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI), which are currently in progress at different stages of development (definition, prototype, or pilot). Ofgem should not expect these programmes and underlying challenges the projects aim to solve to be resolved by the end of RIIO-ED3 (2031). Data sharing and data governance needs and subsequent solutions will evolve over time as we continue to electrify and connect the UK’s grid. As mentioned above, Ofgem needs to ensure ongoing governance and sector collaboration on data and digitalisation – reinforcement of this would be welcomed in addition to specific plans to expand/evolve data governance initiatives.

With the progress of the Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) programme, IB1 anticipates ‘Shared Data’ sharing will evolve and will inform the evolution of data best practice (DBP) guidance. In particular, as data sharing scales, the need to standardise and harmonise legal and technical approaches will become more pressing in order not to slow innovation and add unnecessary cost. IB1 recommends that DBP should include guidance around Shared Data within the triage processes and licensing decisions, highlighting the role of Shared Data Schemes to provide definitions that aid interoperability and maximise impact.

Please note that throughout this consultation, Icebreaker One uses the terms Open, Shared and Closed data as defined here.

If you have any questions about our submission or require clarifications please do not hesitate to contact us via policy@ib1.org. We have omitted questions which we did not answer.

Consultation response:

Do you agree with the proposed implementation approach? Yes.

Rationale: We appreciate that there is a governance in place to discuss and approve the proposed implementation. We would welcome further transparency on the outcomes of applications to access data via this method and suggest that a summary of cases are made openly available after a 6-12 month trial period. Ongoing avenues for scrutiny remain important.

Please provide any further comments you may have.

As we are looking holistically at the smart meter data landscape, we will continue to work with the SEC and engage as it develops on a case by case basis and impacts wider use cases.

“There’s two ways to tackle this issue; either through supply options like reservoirs or through demand management. And, with a 5 billion litres per day gap to 2050 across the UK, regulators are saying half of this will be achieved through demand management.” Lina Nieto, Water Net Zero Manager, at Affinity Water

Water Neutrality 

Water neutrality, which involves reducing the water footprint from activities as much as  possible, is an example of demand management. Water companies and developers can, together, ensure that new developments are built as efficiently as possible, for example, by installing fittings to prevent leakage. But this is only one part of a multifaceted problem. A lot of the issues surrounding water use can be boiled down to behaviour and our perception of water. 

“Lots of water is being wasted because no one really looks at a water bill in the same way they look at an energy bill or a mobile phone bill. The challenge really comes down to the way that people perceive water.” 

Project Zero

Lina and her team recognised the behavioural element that comes into play with water usage, leveraging this in their water neutrality campaign, Project Zero. Using a combination of customer behavioural change, technology installation and offsetting, Project Zero’s goal was to bring down water consumption across three sites covering around 1,000 homes each in ‘Bidwell West’ in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. 

“In our supply area, new properties are expected to use an extra 83.03 million litres of water a day by 2032, on top of what is already being used. By working with behavioural change specialists, we created pledges for people to commit to and found that almost 100% of people stuck to their pledge and successfully changed their behaviour in relation to water usage”. 

These pledges helped people to quantify the amount of water they use and ultimately the amount of water they could save through small, everyday changes. One example is turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, which can save 20 litres of water. And, while the project found that behaviour change alone could reduce water use by an average of 24.9 litres per household, people still need to use water. To achieve water neutrality, the project also set about offsetting water consumption in non-households like schools and businesses. 

“Water offsetting is in its infancy with different geographical approaches being trialled to achieve offsetting targets, and buildings of social value are being prioritised. This first, very localised approach, ensured that the water used by new homes and its offsetting, is linked to the same water source.”

Government attitudes

Government attitudes to the water sector have also played their part in the industry’s apparent lack of progress: “We’re ten years behind the energy sector. Water is cheap, people take it for granted and so it hasn’t had the same focus that the energy sector has. We weren’t even part of the government’s net zero roadmap, which is surprising because water is a very energy intensive industry”. 

But, with a parliamentary refresh in the shape of a new Labour government, there have been some more positive signs. A new Water (Special Measures) Bill was laid out in the King’s Speech, part of which referenced a requirement to install ‘real-time monitors at every sewage outlet, with data independently scrutinised by the water regulators’.

A smart move

As the project pushes to the next phase, it plans to move away from the time-consuming process of manual meter readings, instead choosing to install smart meters. Smart meters provide a more granular and timely view of water usage, as well as saving time and money when compared to manual readings:

“While costly, installing smart meters has proved worth the outlay, as taking manual readings is time-consuming and costs money. The data quality of smart meters is more reliable with a granular level of data, which supports the understanding of the impact of the campaign.” 

This in-depth report details Icebreaker One’s work during the Alpha Phase of the project with a specific focus on data sharing, accessibility and interoperability. It explores three core pillars of work:

• Reviewing the data landscape supporting NIMBUS
• Evaluating dataset applicability to NIMBUS
• Convening expert input to guide the project and ensure transferability to the wider energy sector and beyond.

Download our data accessibility and interoperability report here

Background

Icebreaker One, in partnership with SSEN Transmission, IBM and Palantir, is working on the NIMBUS (Network Innovation and Meteorology to BUild for Sustainability) project, which aims to accelerate the transition to net zero by prolonging the life of energy assets through the introduction of granular weather data sources into the asset risk modelling methodologies. The NIMBUS project is funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), the SIF is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

In this consultation we present key findings from NIMBUS regarding the asset data sharing practices in the UK energy sector and the use of granular weather data as part of the CBRM (Condition Based Risk Management) methodology. 

We seek your input to ensure that we capture a wide range of expertise and views that reflect the data sharing landscape relevant to the NIMBUS use case, specifically pertaining to data on energy asset management. The proposals  presented in this consultation draw from prior NIMBUS project work incorporating desk research, Advisory Groups convening various members of TSO and DNO organisations, and stakeholder interviews to evaluate the current landscape of asset data sharing and the approaches to CBRM in the sector.

Important Details about the Consultation below:

• The consultation is open until 5pm on 12 March 2024. 
• Please submit your responses to: julija.hansena@ib1.org
• In your response , please indicate whether you are happy for your response to be published openly, attributed to you and/or your organisation. 
• If confidentiality is requested, your submission will be anonymised when Icebreaker One publishes their response. Please email Julija to discuss if you have specific anonymity requirements. 
• Comments are particularly encouraged from all transmission system operators (TSOs) and distribution network operators (DNOs) in the energy sector, however responses from utilities with similar assets such as water, rail and telecommunications are also welcomed.
  

Proposal

Through analysis of data gathered via Advisory Groups, stakeholder interviews and desk research, we have identified the following approaches to asset data sharing and the use of CBRM in the energy sector:

Statement 1

The sector is generally embracing the concepts of open data and data sharing, especially since the publication of Ofgem’s Data Best Practice Guidance which promotes data sharing and reuse. Many TSOs and DNOs have created their own open data portals (e.g. SSEN-T Open Data Portal, SSEN-D Data Portal), however there is still a noticeable lack of shared data standards, methodologies and tools that govern asset data sharing in this sector.

Questions about Statement 1: 

1. What is your organisation’s experience of sharing asset data?
2. Are there any data standards, methodologies or tools that are used in your organisation to facilitate data sharing and publication of this type of data? 

Statement 2

CBRM is a widely utilised methodology across the energy sector to facilitate asset risk management and reporting. However, asset managers report that it is somewhat limited in its approach and may well benefit from integrating weather data experienced locally by assets into the asset risk modelling process. Project NIMBUS aims to address this by assisting to integrate granular weather data into asset risk assessment methodologies, with the aim of optimising asset inspection schedules and subsequently reducing asset degradation and the associated costs.

Questions about Statement 2: 

3. In your organisation, are weather conditions experienced by assets currently integrated into the asset risk assessment methodologies?
4. If so, have you been able to measure and quantify the impact this has had on your asset inspection and maintenance cycles and the associated costs?

Statement 3

TSOs and DNOs handle large volumes of data of various levels of sensitivities, which need to be handled appropriately. In order to assist with data security, as well as enable data sharing between organisations, a framework like data sensitivity classes can be applied. For the NIMBUS use case, SSEN-T Open Data Portal makes use of a data triage process which is applied to all SSEN-T datasets prior to publication, with the results of the triage processes being published here. The data sensitivity classification framework that forms part of this triage process is closely aligned with IB1’s data sensitivity classes, whilst simultaneously adopting the classes to fit the needs of the business.

Questions about Statement 3: 

5. Are there any existing data triage processes or frameworks that aid in assessing data sensitivity levels of asset data in your organisation? 
6. Are they based on any existing processes or frameworks?

How can you help?

We are seeking responses to the 6 questions listed in the ‘Proposal’ section above. It should take no more than 30 minutes to respond. The consultation is open until 5pm UK on 12 March 2024 and responses are encouraged from all transmission system operators and distribution network operators in the energy sector, as well as adjacent organisations working on matters relevant to the NIMBUS use case.

To submit your responses, or if you have any queries please email: research@ib1.org

Wednesday January 24th marked the second advisory group meeting for the NIMBUS (Network Innovation and Meteorology to BUild for Sustainability) project, a collaboration involving Icebreaker One, SSEN Transmission, SSEN Distribution, IBM and Palantir.

The meeting explored the energy sector’s readiness for data sharing, outlining the importance of this for the NIMBUS project as it looks to grapple with energy asset degradation and reliability.

Understanding weather data

There are a number of weather events that can impact energy infrastructure. These include wind damage, flooding, temperature extremes, lighting strikes and more. And, by accurately factoring in these weather-related events, organisations can optimise maintenance schedules or plan for equipment replacements therefore extending the life cycle of these assets. 

Despite this, not all weather events are factored into risk. Lighting strikes, due to their transient nature, are an example of a weather event that has proven hard to predict and difficult to factor into the risk assessment of an energy asset. That’s not to say that lightning strikes aren’t tracked, with one member of the advisory group noting that network operators look at historical data on lighting strikes to find patterns, and identify similar conditions in the future. 

Historical vs real-time data

Accessing historical data on weather events is generally more straightforward than accessing live, real-time data. This is because historical weather data is often open and more easily accessible for users. This compared to real-time weather data which is more likely to be subject to licensing agreements. These discrepancies were noted by the advisory group, with a collective recognition that the energy industry, as a whole, requires a shift in mindset when it comes to sharing data. 

The current reality of siloed pockets of data across the energy sector is a system that no longer serves the industry. More than this, it’s a system that’s holding the energy industry back. By incorporating a governance structure, we can break down these silos within the energy industry and beyond, building a culture of collaboration. All steps that will help SSEN-Transmission accelerate its net-zero transition. 

Demonstration of a digital tool

During the meeting, a live demonstration showcased a digital tool focused on transmission lines, towers, and subcomponents, offering a detailed view of operational data, faults, work orders, and inspections. Utilising IBM’s weather data, the digital tool incorporated over 30 variables, providing a granular analysis of weather patterns over a six-year history. The landing page offered insights into weather data associated with towers, exploring historical patterns to understand potential damages. 

Now halfway through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Alpha stage, NIMBUS has developed a high level plan and roadmap for a use case. It has also identified system requirements, created architecture for proof of concept and fed asset and weather data (from IBM) into its model.

In January 2024, we convened the second REACT Advisory Group meeting, co-chaired by SSEN-Transmission and Icebreaker One. In partnership with SSEN Transmission, Olsights, MapStand, National Grid Electricity Transmission and SGN, IB1 is part of the Alpha phase of REACT, which aims to create a geographical planning tool providing users with the ability to view electricity grid connection requests in real-time, using an interactive visualisation map.

The purpose of this meeting was to gain a collective understanding of progress on sprints, and to discuss what datasets developers would like to have access to and what would be possible if they could access these datasets. Advisory Group members also discussed what the risks are to share this data, and how to improve interoperability of data going into and out of REACT. 

Key insights

• REACT Tool Progress Update from Olsights & Mapstand:
  • Sprints 1 & 2 have been completed and include “negative” land use layers, ie. areas where projects cannot be sited.
  • Sprint 3 is underway and is focused on specific Hydrogen project site requirements, such as available water supply.
  • Future sprints will focus on curtailment, future scenarios, and “positive” land use, i.e. where Hydrogen projects are actively encouraged.
• There are a large number of potentially shareable datasets within the network connection request process. Prioritising which to share should be based on user needs and how they solve business problems.
• Making datasets shareable does not necessarily mean publishing them openly but may mean sharing them within a safe and secure Trust Framework.
• REACT must embrace interoperability both into and out of the tool to ensure the tool can be used by the greatest number of potential stakeholders.
• With regard to accessing datasets, it was discussed that:
  • Accessing gas infrastructure data requires shared not open data since it is critical infrastructure; the REACT team have discussed creating different access levels for different target users to mitigate against such data sensitivity issues.
  • The Stream project, centred on publishing water data, could be highly relevant to REACT.
  • There are data sensitivity issues around mapping data e.g. address data, street geometries, though the situation has evolved rapidly in recent years.
  • Council planners would welcome early access to information about projects that are applying for network connections.
  • More affordable/accessible network connection process could benefit community energy projects, though this raises issues of data sensitivity, e.g. what criteria determines access to shared, non-open data?
  • More effective data sharing between electricity companies and other area-focused stakeholders, such as councils, water companies, via REACT could provide more effective, joined-up thinking to achieve Net Zero e.g. helping councils co-create decarbonisation plans could encourage councils to invest in network upgrades.
  • Technology innovators could potentially assist with complex and time-critical elements of the network connection process through safe and secure data sharing within a Trust Framework.

Diagram showing possible datasets created prior to and during the Network Connection Request pipeline of a Transmission Owner; created using information from ESO Connections Offers Process

• With regard to interoperability and standards, it was discussed that:
  • For publicly funded projects like REACT, better data reliability and consistency within datasets, and better interoperability across datasets would deliver better value-for-money for taxpayers.
  • Regulatory bodies and trade organisations could provide an invaluable role in defining standards, though this could take time – are there faster ways to get there?
  • Within the local government, there has been useful work trying to achieve standards in underground infrastructure data (MUDDI/VAULT).

During December’s meeting, we discussed the Perseus project’s launch at COP28 and emerging governance work. 

The group heard a summary of the Virtual Energy System (VES) programme which aims to create a common data-sharing infrastructure that will help facilitate the transition to net zero. The project’s next steps will focus on completing the prototype collaboration project by mid-January. 

The UK data-sharing strategy for 2024 was discussed, focusing on increasing connection between existing and new initiatives. It was discussed that the data-sharing infrastructure should be positioned within a multifaceted approach which embeds data quality and continuously improves.

Key insights:

• It was noted that Perseus, which aims to improve lending behaviour based on sharing electricity data, was announced at the UK Pavilion during COP28.
  • The project delivered a 100-page report with support from Steering and Advisory Groups representing 150+ people, over a dozen Trade Associations, over 20 commercial members, and the UK Government.
  • Major achievements included alignment on 30-minute resolution smart meter data, helping to catalyse a code change with RECCo, and presenting a joined-up strategy for implementation.
  • Perseus is an example of Open Energy in implementation and its emerging governance work could help support and illustrate how governance should work more broadly.
• A summary of the Virtual Energy System (VES) programme was presented. The objective is to create a common data-sharing infrastructure, ultimately to enable an ecosystem of connected digital twins that will help facilitate the transition to net zero.
• The UK strategy for data sharing was discussed. This included the need for greater connection between existing and new initiatives.
• The interplay between the expected consultation from Ofgem on governance in relation to the data-sharing infrastructure and the ongoing work was discussed.

How you can support:

• Perseus  — If you are involved in energy and net zero, please join this ambitious national initiative to automate carbon reporting for all SMEs  — To go far, we go together
• Email us at openenergy@ib1.org to get involved in Open Energy

We discussed recent news in the energy sector including an update on the Energy Bill; Claire Coutinho’s replacement of Grant Schapps as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero; 40C heat waves and forest fires around Europe; and the recent press around onshore wind.

The Steering Group heard about Icebreaker One’s launch of their assurance and verification processes. The group discussed the importance of measures to build trust between organisations exchanging data, the role a trust framework can play and the level of protection against litigation. The group also heard an update on the Digital Spine and Virtual Energy System.

Key insights:

• In September, IB1 is launching assurance and verification processes for organisations and data to enable registration of datasets as compliant with standards.
• There are the Energy Bill and Data Bill moving through Parliament; Ofgem is pushing forward to broaden the reach of its Data Best Practice Principles; the Smart Data Council has a remit to apply ‘the principles of open banking’ across the economy. IB1 is across most of these conversations.
• The combined work of the Virtual Energy System, Digital Spine, and Open Energy, are all pointing in the same direction: a trust framework for secure data sharing.

How you can support:

Perseus  — If you are involved in energy and net zero, please join this ambitious national initiative to automate carbon reporting for all SMEs  — To go far, we go together

Read the full report here

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.

We’re asking organisations and experts to endorse our approach.

There are three key parts to our approach:

1. The development of open standards that enable open marketplaces for data-sharing of both Open data and non-Open data
2. Laying the foundations for interoperable and cohesive energy data infrastructure
3. Building on existing work and the sunk costs invested in existing initiatives

Click here to endorse our approach as an individual expert or on behalf of your organisation. 

We believe we’re the best team to take on this work because: 

• Open Energy is the leading solution and has already received investment from government 
  • The UK Government has already invested in our approach, helping make Open Energy a leading solution to the needs articulated by the ‘digital spine’ idea.  
• Icebreaker One is independent and trusted
  • As a non-profit and non-partisan organisation, our approach will always be led by the needs of the stakeholders who have and need net-zero data
• Open Energy works
  • Open Energy is working: new data is being shared regularly and support is widespread across the sector.  
• Icebreaker One is set up for maximum impact
  • Icebreaker One is focused on our mission to help the sector achieve its net-zero goals – meaning that our solution is set up to have the most positive long-term impact.   
• We’ve been endorsed by key players
  • A recent report by Energy Systems Catapult, who authored the Digital Spine report, said: “The regulator should mandate Open Energy as an industry wide data sharing mechanism. Open Energy has, via a competition run by government, created a service that enables trusted actors to share data in a consistent way across the energy value chain. Mandating this solution would accelerate its adoption and make consistent an approach, reducing costs and barriers to entry.”

Click here to endorse our approach as an individual expert or on behalf of your organisation. 

The research study will build on the Energy Systems Catapult’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce report.

Read more here about how Icebreaker One supports the delivery of the recommendations made by the taskforce.

“Icebreaker One are developing our national data infrastructure. It’s as important as our roads, rail, water and broadband networks”

Lord Maude of Horsham

Photo credit: Spiky fireworks by Sheila Sund on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

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.

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.

1. A web of energy data for everyone that unlocks an open market for existing players, innovators and investors to create benefits for industry, consumers and society.

2. Easy access to authenticated and reliable energy data that maximises value and minimises barriers to competition across the energy sector and beyond.

3. Market-wide cohesion and interoperability across the energy and related sectors, supported by open standards and data infrastructure that underpin and enable downstream markets.

4. Material impact to accelerate innovation and decarbonisation, delivered by industry participation, regulatory support and growth of a thriving ecosystem.

We believe this will: 

• unlock a web of energy data for everyone
• accelerate the transition to net zero
• help unlock innovation and finance across energy and connected markets
• democratise rights to access and use of data
• enable engagements for discourse and decision-making
• provide common solutions for interoperable technology
• take close, collegiate collaboration between industry, Government, regulators and other stakeholders to address societal shared challenges
• empower businesses and consumers to reduce costs and deliver net zero

For more detail about the definitions of terms, including cohesion and interoperability, see https://ib1.org/the-icebreaker-one-trust-framework/ 

Archive video:

What:

Recent developments at COP26 showed that data access is at the heart of our plans to get to net zero. This means organisations will need to prepare to accelerate plans for data sharing and data publishing. 

In our next 30 minute webinar, we’ll be exploring what COP26 announcements mean for businesses and their data, and what changes can be expected in the years to come.

We’ll discuss our main takeaways from COP26, and the actions that you can take now to ensure your data and digitalisation strategies will support the shift to Net Zero.

Speakers:

• Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Lee Wilson, Product Owner – Data & Analytics, ScottishPower
• Lucy Yu, CEO, Centre for Net Zero
• Ronan Palmer, Head of Clean Economy Programme, E3G

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.

Archive video:

Who:

• Kathryn Corrick, Strategy & Development Director, Icebreaker One (chair)
• Gavin Starks, CEO & Founder, Icebreaker One 
• More speakers TBC

What:

Join us to celebrate innovative visualisations in UK energy data!

Visualisations are a great way for people to understand, feel inspired and engage with energy data, in turn helping accelerate the transition to Net Zero.

At this Showcase you will be introduced to exciting energy data visualisations in the UK right now. You will hear from our panel of expert judges and the winners of the Showcase will be announced!

The Showcase is part of the Energy Data Visibility Project led by a partnership between Icebreaker One, Arup, and Hippo Digital, and commissioned by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Developing an innovative service that will connect the UK’s current patchwork of energy data sources to improve their visibility and accuracy.

Programme: The Energy Data Visibility Project (EDVP) forms part of the Modernising Energy Data (MED) programme being commissioned by BEIS, Ofgem and Innovate UK.

This project update is informal and not yet formally endorsed by BEIS. Formal notices will be marked as such.

All terms used in the blog are defined in the glossary here. All policies will also be published in the Phase 3 operational guidelines (forthcoming end July 2021). For any questions stemming from this blog, or materials within, please contact openenergy@ib1.org.

Data Sensitivity Classes

Open Energy facilitates sharing of a wide variety of data types, with varied levels of sensitivity. In order to handle this complexity, and to ensure data is appropriately protected, Open Energy has developed a system of data sensitivity classification. This policy details five Open Energy data sensitivity classes, graded across three dimensions of sensitivity: personal, commercial, and security. They are designed to complement Ofgem’s Data Best Practice guidance, by adding nuance to how Data Providers can classify types of Shared data.

Consultation during policy development informed a range of changes including:

• Reducing the number of classes from 6 to 5,
• Improving descriptions and example data types provided for each class; and
• Updating guidance regarding the classification of aggregated and anonymised personal data.

Details of public consultation feedback, and Open Energy’s responses, can be found here. A copy of the updated policy can be found here.

Data Access Conditions

Once Data Providers have allocated their datasets to appropriate sensitivity classes, they will then specify the access conditions for each dataset. To encourage the creation of  access conditions that are fair and proportionate to the dataset’s sensitivity profile, data sensitivity classes will be used as a guiding basis for considering access conditions, though not a complete determinant. As such, we define a standardised range of access condition types that Data Providers can associate with a particular dataset. This acknowledges the need for more nuance than would be captured under a ‘one size fits all’ approach for each sensitivity class, while still enabling standardisation of condition types. The policy focuses on access conditions for classes OE-SA and OE-SB only as personal data (OE-SP) are out of scope for Open Energy Phase 3. 

Consultation during policy development informed a range of adaptations including:

• Dividing group-based access conditions into externally defined and self defined types;
• Tightening the scope of use case-based access conditions to promote clarity and fairness; and
• Removing purpose-based access conditions to reflect coverage of these conditions elsewhere in ways that reduce implementation difficulties.

Details of public consultation feedback, and Open Energy’s responses, can be found here. A copy of the updated policy can be found here.

Data Licensing 

This represents the final step of the journey that Data Providers must take in order to ready their datasets for sharing via Open Energy. It consists of two parts: creating access rules, then associating the grant of a set of capabilities and obligations with each rule to form the license. Our model proposes a system whereby access and capability grants are determined, for each request to a Data Provider’s API, on the basis of a set of rules defined and published by that Data Provider. This is different from the single licensing model that is commonly used in the sector, whereby one license is produced to cover all circumstances of the dataset’s use. It also responds to industry feedback regarding problems with the length and complexity of single licenses, which can increase cost, friction and risk associated with data use. By contrast, the Open Energy model permits reasonable multiple licensing within a set of transparent, standardised parameters that enable each license to be significantly simplified. 

Consultation during policy development informed a range of changes including:

• Sharpening the descriptions of certain capabilities; 
• Confirming use of the ‘data pyramid’ to support the definition of different levels of onward sharing permissions; and
• Honing a set of clarifications provided with the policy to support understanding.

Details of public consultation feedback, and Open Energy’s responses, can be found here. A copy of the updated policy can be found here.

What’s next? 

In the next phase of development, Open Energy will produce guidance and tooling designed to support Data Providers to comply with Open Energy policies. We aim for this to build trust and fairness in the ecosystem, while making it as easy as possible for Data Providers to get up and running. The next phase of the project will also explore policy development around dispute resolution and we expect to hold a further public consultation on this topic in due course.