Energy Data Review

The Project will consider the multi-vector energy system as a whole and needs to be extensible and scalable to support this. However, it is proposed to focus initially on the data and information needs in the rapidly evolving area of intermittent and distributed energy supply and demand, including the potential for an "Energy as a Service" style business model.

This focus is proposed as it is very volatile in terms of evolving technologies, business/commercial models, changing consumer needs and behaviours. There is a need for distributed/flexible demand management solutions to match the increasingly distributed/intermittent generation/supply. It is therefore potentially the most open to innovation and new solutions and business models, compared to the large-scale generation, transmission and distribution part of the sector.

Another major change anticipated for the Industry is a move away from providing distribution networks that are sized for the largest credible load that could be experienced, towards actively managing non-time critical customer load to keep energy flows within the network capability. This would allow more energy to be delivered by the same assets, but has implications for the data flows required by the distribution companies.