We brought together a panel of experts to discuss the role that regulation plays in supporting DNOs and unlocking sector-wide innovation, in our February webinar hosted by Icebreaker One Co-Founder and Programme Manager, Gea Mikic:

• Charlotte Hillenbrand, Product Strategist, Icebreaker One
• Sara Vaughan, Non Executive Director, Elexon
• Liam Bennett, Senior Manager – Data Policy and Regulation, Ofgem

The panel started by discussing what’s changed for DNOs and the wider energy market over recent decades, before exploring how the sector can work together to achieve net zero goals. Here’s a summary of the key themes.

1. The impact of transition

Increases in distributed generation require Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to take on system operator functions; shifting their role from passive/reactive energy distribution to such as and active network management, using new technology and real-time data to make interventions on the network: to the transition from Distribution Network Operator to Distribution System Operator (DSO).

“The distribution network used to be seen as passive. It was basically a conduit for getting power from one place to another. Today is very different. In the last decade, the usage patterns of Britain’s local electricity distribution networks have changed rapidly. There’s been a sharp increase in more low carbon generation connecting to local networks, as both consumers and businesses invest in their own generation equipment” says Sara Vaughan, Non Executive Director, Elexon.

Sara explains: “In a DSO model, the very last thing that the network will be is passive. It is sitting at the centre of thousands of potential interactions, playing host to a variety of different distributed energy resources and enabling flexibility transactions as an alternative to just investing in more network capacity. The key to this, of course, is data and digitalisation. The networks need to know where the assets are, the investors and developers need to know where the opportunities are, and consumers need to know that this is all possible. Greater data visibility and open data are essential steps towards the digital transformation of the energy sector and the acceleration to net zero”.

Are we heading in the right direction?

It’s clear that this is a pivotal moment for the energy sector. How can policy and regulation provide the structural support for this shift?

“What every regulated body needs is a degree of certainty in terms of future policy. My concern, when you couple the current world situation with the cost of living crisis that we’re seeing more generally at the moment, is around political will to keep pushing forward. We know that there are some members of Parliament already who are talking about slowing down the drive to net zero. But we will never get to net zero unless we drive for it. Once we are on that path, then we reduce our dependence on gas and its volatility. So we have to keep that decarbonisation focus and investment going.”

Sara Vaughan, Elexon

We need to work collectively to keep modernising and diversifying our digitised energy systems. Liam Bennett, Senior Manager – Data Policy and Regulation at Ofgem, emphasises: “Digitalisation is the key; driving open data up through the DNOs and up through other systems to provide value. If we keep progressing in silos and we all think that in our individual parts of the system we’re building the right thing, but none of it interacts; we don’t really get that true value in the whole system and we end up either overbuilding or we just fundamentally don’t get there.

“Each DNO having its own data sharing platform is definitely a good starting position. To make data available to consumers, to stakeholders, to Ofgem, is a really positive step. My push to DNOs would be: how do we use those open data platforms? We need to take a common approach, whether it be through an open network project or a third party; making sure that stakeholders and flexibility providers can go and access each of those different data platforms and know what data they’re going to get, in the right fashion, in the right timeliness”.

2. Focus on interoperability

Interoperability is essential if the energy industry is to achieve its 2030 climate targets. Liam states: “The wider system probably needs three key points to deliver in the next 10 years. The first is common data and metadata standards. Ofgem recently published a letter on the common information model for the Long Term Development Statement for DNOs, which is a strong step for us, and we think future standards will also be valuable. Secondly, minimum standards for data quality. Everyone in the digital energy sector needs to know that the data they receive is accessible and acceptable. Thirdly, you need clearly articulated roles and responsibilities in the sector. You need to reduce risk; we need increased regulatory certainty. And we need to understand who you interact with to get what you need to operate in that future system. The operation requires interfaces between different parts.

“We’d like to see the approach DNOs are taking to engage external providers such as Open Energy to find common interfaces. We’ve been on quite a journey so far, from the Energy Data Task Force into the Energy Digitalisation Task Force. We’ve taken quite an open approach to our regulation, collaborating with the sector and with DNOS as well. We want to take that forward. Collaborative and iterative design is the only way we’ll get the energy system we all envisage. So yes, our door is open. We want to design the system with you. Come and help us.”

Liam Bennett, Ofgem

3. Getting started

With so much to navigate, it’s important just to make a start. Charlotte Hillenbrand, Product Strategist at Icebreaker One, explains: “the challenge is always: where do we start? I’ve encountered lots of clients where that conversation has been rolling for a couple of years. And the problems are somewhat known, but the starting point still evades the teams. So that’s where Open Energy is really trying to help DNOs and other players in the sector: to get started. With Open Energy you can dive in and start accessing data; start finding open and shared datasets and see who else in the community is active.

“We’ve really tried as much as we can to facilitate DNOs to operationalise the data best practice that’s laid out in their RIIO-ED2 business plans, because we recognise that this is a really complex space. We’re focussed on removing as much friction from the process as we can, in order to get to value as quickly as possible.”

Charlotte Hillenbrand, Icebreaker One

Charlotte: “We’re indexing and connecting data, not collecting data. So the data will always remain on individual systems. What we’re facilitating is the connection and transaction of datasets in a safe environment. And in that way, you can build the picture, ingest the data you need, and start to map it”.

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

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.

Our Steering Group comprises:

Co-Chairs:

• Gavin Starks
• Sara Vaughan

Members:

• Danae Marshall
• Sophie Adams
• Matt Hastings
• Grant Wilson
• Steven Steer
• Stephen Lorimer
• Ed Evans
• Steven Gough
• Matt Webb
• Richard Hampshire
• Simon Pearson
• Lee Wilson
• Aneysha Minocha
• Cristobal Pollman

Ofgem Observer:

• Heather Swan

The two groups meet monthly and include a wide range of industry leaders and subject matter experts, representing a cross section of private and public players with a unique contribution. The Advisory Groups play a critical role in Open Energy’s development, providing us with a 360 perspective that ensures that Open Energy is designed for and with the energy sector. 

Here’s a summary of everything achieved and discussed in the November meetings.

Membership & Delivery

The group discussed:

• The rich feedback provided on the Membership Contract and a brief update
• Presented the proposed Open Data Principles for a metadata curator, and provided members the document to review and comment
• Presented the proposed organisational onboarding capabilities and requirements for various categories of data consumers, data providers, and data curators
• Discussed the current progress on the data access specifications for pilot phase access conditions 

Still under discussion: 

• Open Data Principles for a metadata curator
• Proposed organisational onboarding capabilities and requirements
• Data access specifications for pilot phase access conditions 

User Needs

The group discussed:

• A narrowed down list of use cases considered in the October meeting which are in scope for Open Energy to deliver
• The progress already being done on an electric vehicle use case around opening up access to charge point data with the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles
• The potential economic, environmental, social benefits of supporting each of the narrowed down use cases
• The potential business cases that would support prioritising one use case over another
• The scoring criteria which can be used to rank the use cases, and voted on the top scoring use case of all participants

Still under discussion: 

• Further scoring of the use cases, and narrowing down to the top two use cases which will be supported by Open Energy in future work

Steering Group

In this session, the Steering Group discussed

• Reflections
  • COP
  • Advisory Group meetings
• Achievements & progress for the Membership & Delivery AG
• Achievements and progress for the User Needs AG
• Alignment statement – update and discussion
• Membership terms of service
• Considered use cases and Problem Statement

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://icebreakerone.org/the-icebreaker-one-trust-framework/ 

“The tie-in with Open Energy is really making our data more searchable,” said Yiu-Shing Pang, Open Data Manager of UK Power Networks. “Our portal facilitates tags and metadata and now we’ve seen the metadata being pulled into Icebreaker One’s Open Energy search platform, which makes our data even more accessible”.

The Open Energy Search system describes datasets that exist, without storing the data itself. It has rich information about the datasets which helps people find the metadata or look for exactly what they want. It discovers metadata both about shared data published by Open Energy members for other Open Energy members. It also includes open data which is shared with everyone, such as the UK Power Networks data. 

“If you want Open Energy search to help make your open datasets more visible, there are two steps you need to take. First of all, is to publish the metadata about your datasets using open standards. Then, let us know about it by emailing us on openenergy@icebreakerone.org. Our data search can then incorporate your datasets and share them with our members and the general public, because this is available to everyone to use today” said Tom Hukins, API and Services Developer, Icebreaker One.

Search the UK Power Networks datasets on Open Energy’s Energy Data Search here: https://openenergy.org.uk/.

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:

What
Open Energy – now in Pilot phase – is working closely with industry and government to shape the energy data infrastructure of the future so we can get to net zero. 

In our next 30 minute webinar, we’ll be outlining how Open Energy enables an open marketplace that makes it easier to find, access and share energy data – and what that means for your business.

We’ll walk you through what Open Energy will look like, including how it contributes to data and digitalisation strategies. We’ll give you an overview of the onboarding process and exactly what’s required to get started. You’ll hear a few different perspectives – including from people who’ve used the service to search and access data – and be able to ask questions at the end.

Speakers

• Gea Mikic, Programme Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Yiu-Shing Pang, Open Data Manager, UK Power Networks
• Tom Hukins, API Developer, Icebreaker One
• Alice Garnier, Operations Lead, Farad.ai

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

Programme: Open Energy is designed to make it easier to search, access and use Open Data and Commercial Data across the whole sector. Its development has been/is supported through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), SBRI and BEIS programmes, grant and commercial income.

https://icebreakerone.org/2021/10/13/icebreaker-one-at-cop26/

Where: Archive below

Full Video:

Slides:

[click the 3 dots to make full screen]

What:

The UK is investing £100M’s to revolutionise its energy infrastructure, to help us get to Net Zero and adapt to huge changes in energy supply and demand, ranging from connecting more renewables to charging our electric vehicles. 

Having recently completed Beta under the MEDA programme, Icebreaker One is launching a Pilot phase of Open Energy, running from October 2021 to February 2022. We’re now inviting applications to the Open Energy Advisory Groups to help steer this emerging national energy data infrastructure.

In this one hour webinar hosted by Icebreaker One Founder and CEO Gavin Starks, we’ll let you know what to expect from this next stage of the Open Energy programme and how you and/or your organisation can get involved.

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. Read through the Considerations Before you Start for an overview of the skills, capabilities and tasks required*

2. Proactively engage teams or staff members with responsibilities for the four areas of readiness:

• Commercial
• Operational
• Technical
• Legal

3. Ensure that your internal teams action the steps outlined, depending on whether you are a Data Provider or Data Consumer, in order to prepare for data sharing. Sharing of real data will commence when the Open Energy Governance Service goes fully live.

* NB this is a summary for planning purposes and should not be used in place of more detailed operational and technical documentation.

We look forward to welcoming you to Open Energy membership. Please get in touch if you have any questions: openenergy@icebreakerone.org.

Who:

• Gea Mikic, Programme Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Miles Cheetham, Data Infrastructure Lead, Icebreaker One
• Chris Turner, Technical Architect at PassivSystems
• Tom Oinn, Information Architect, Icebreaker One
• Kasia Kulma, Data Scientist, Icebreaker One

What:

Open Energy has been designed for the energy sector by the energy sector. It will enable an open marketplace to make it easier to find, access and share energy data, helping unlock efficiency and innovation throughout the ecosystem. Through collaboration and open standards, Open Energy members can engage in the development of the services and standards to enable their data strategies and enable both commercial and open data sharing.

For data suppliers, Open Energy helps increase the addressable market for commercial and open data.

For data consumers, Open Energy provides efficient access to both commercial and open data.

In this half-hour webinar, we’ll show how organisations can engage in the future of energy data sharing in the UK. The Icebreaker One team will demonstrate how to integrate directly with Open Energy systems, help you understand what is needed to make your organisation market-ready, and hear about the onboarding experience of users through the beta programme.

Open Energy won UK Government backing and funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and BEIS.

The Advisory Groups are directed by the Steering Group who support the overarching strategy, ensure the delivery of our objectives, and help disseminate the work.

The current groups have been meeting monthly since March, with July being the final meeting for this phase of the project. 

We focused the work of the Advisory Groups on two tracks; Membership and Delivery. Each month we have published our summaries in the open on the Latest section of the Open Energy website, EnergyData.org.uk. 

This post summarises the key developments agreed in each month’s meetings, but for more detail on the work in progress from month to month, those monthly summaries are linked below.   

March

In March’s meetings (summary) we agreed the roles and responsibilities for each of the two groups as follows: 

Membership Advisory Group: 

• Membership contract
• Key policies; conditions for participation, roles, responsibilities and liabilities
• Pre-emptive licence
• Funding model
• Ongoing governance

Delivery Advisory Group: 

• Operational guidelines
• Data production, flows and usage
• Authorisation process and audit
• Ensure that the Governance Platform and Data Search capabilities meet user and sector needs 

April

In April’s meetings (summary) the Membership Advisory Group approved:

• Open Energy Terms of Reference for the Advisory Groups and Steering Group
• Standard definitions, acronyms and terminology to be used in Open Energy (Section 2 of Operational Guidelines)
• Consultation on data sensitivity classes (closed 30-April)
• Amends to Introduction (Section 1) of Operational Guidelines
• Roadmap for future Membership Advisory Group meetings (May, June, July)
• Membership charging principles: not-for-profit, proportionate, inclusive

The Delivery Advisory Group approved:

• Open Energy Terms of Reference for the Advisory Groups and Steering Group
• Standard definitions, acronyms and terminology to be used in Open Energy (Section 2 of Operational Guidelines)
• Consultation on data sensitivity classes (closed 30-April)
• Users and key players within the Open Energy ecosystem – Data Providers / Service providers / Dual roles

May

In May’s meetings (summary), the Membership Advisory Group concluded:

• Data sensitivity classes – Open Energy will handle data of varying levels of sensitivity and this final policy document presents a system of five data sensitivity classes, from closed, through shared, to open.
• Also shared an architecture overview

While the Delivery Advisory Group similarly concluded:

• The Data sensitivity classes 
• A review of the operational guidelines sections 1 & 3.

June

In June’s meetings (summary), the Membership Advisory Group:

• Concluded the work on Data Access Conditions, building on the previous work on Data Sensitivity Classes. The Data Access Conditions determine the types of conditions that Data Consumers might be required to meet in order to gain access from Data Providers for different datasets.
• Reviewed the proposed Licensing approach. Together with the Data Access Conditions, the Licensing Model creates flexible options for determining who can access a particular dataset and what can be done with that dataset.
• Discussed the refined OE value proposition and the proposed membership tiers and pricing structure.

The Delivery Advisory Group:

• Concluded work on Data Access Conditions for Data Consumers and the Guidelines for Data Providers.
• Discussed the beta testing results and the lessons learned from the process – both from a Data Consumer and Data Provider perspective. The next session of beta testing is scheduled for July.
• Reviewed Licensing and Access Control conditions which included Authorisation Flows, Licensing Model and Access Rules.
• Discussed the Metadata publication specification which details the content required from the Data Provider for the Metadata files, the technical access specification (API) and data representation best practices.
• Feedback from the Advisory Group on gaining traction included developing further Use Cases, upstream and downstream in the energy value chain, to enable further engagement and enhance user base.

July

July’s meetings will wrap up the Advisory Group process and report back on what we have achieved during this six month phase of the project. 

Through the process of designing, convening, holding, and above all, listening to the Advisory Groups, Open Energy has made great strides in developing its infrastructure, to the point of opening the beta service to the public (apply to join the beta here).

We have significantly developed the Open Energy Standard, and are well on the way to making Open Energy the Open marketplace for energy data.

The Advisory Group process has been extended with the new Data Standards Advisory Group, which had its first meeting on 16th June.

In June we held the fourth of our Phase 3 Advisory Groups tasked with shaping the Open Energy programme of work in the following areas: 1) Membership and 2) Delivery. The Steering Group also met to provide guidance on our overarching strategy.

The three groups convene monthly and include a wide range of industry leaders and subject matter experts, representing a cross section of private and public players with a unique contribution. Our Advisory Groups help us to understand how the UK can better modernise energy data access from a 360 perspective and ensure that Open Energy is designed effectively for the benefit of society.

Here’s a summary of everything achieved and discussed in the June meetings.

Membership

Concluded this month:

• Work on Data Access Conditions, building on the previous work on Data Sensitivity Classes. The Data Access Conditions determine the types of conditions that Data Consumers might be required to meet in order to gain access from Data Providers for different datasets.
• Review of the proposed Licensing approach. Together with the Data Access Conditions, the Licensing Model will create flexible options for determining who can access a particular dataset and what can be done with that dataset.
• Discussion on the refined Open Energy value proposition and the proposed membership tiers and pricing structure.

Still under discussion:

• Operating Guidelines – still in development.

Delivery

Concluded this month:

• Work on Data Access Conditions, building on the previous work on Data Sensitivity Classes. The Data Access Conditions determine the types of conditions that Data Consumers might be required to meet in order to gain access from Data Providers for different datasets.
• Review of the proposed Licensing approach. Together with the Data Access Conditions, the Licensing Model will create flexible options for determining who can access a particular dataset and what can be done with that dataset.

Still under discussion:

• Beta testing – widening the stakeholders for further testing
• Licensing and Access Control – Authorisation Flows, Licensing Model and Access Rules being finalised
• Metadata publication specification – content, technical access specification (API) and data representation best practices
• Development input and prioritisation – looking ahead beyond Phase 3

Steering Group

Actions from the June meeting:

• Agreed:
  • Interim Membership Fee approach
  • Open Energy Proposition
  • Data Access Final Policy 
• Progressed:
  • Open Energy Beta programme
  • EDVP
• Reviewed and provided guidance on:
  • Critical updates and conclusions drawn from the Membership and Delivery AGs
  • Programme RAG (Red/Amber/Green) status
  • Additional items that were for information

Archive

Who:

• Frank Wales, Delivery Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Aneysha Minocha, Founder and Director, Quantenergy Ltd.
• Jake Verma, Senior Consultant, Digital and Data, Energy Systems Catapult
• Alex Arnold, Data Consultant, DTSquared

What:

The Open Energy beta testing programme is now live, with eight organisations participating. Within the testing programme, our beta users are onboarding to the Open Energy Directory and are testing the usability, functionality and technical integration of Open Energy Search. This is a crucial stage of our product development and helps us to ensure that Open Energy meets the full breadth of sector and user needs, to create an effective and trusted environment for data sharing.

In our next half-hour webinar we’ll be handing over to our beta testers to share their first experiences of using the Open Energy beta service. They’ll be joined by the Icebreaker One team who will answer questions from the audience and share information on how you can apply for our second wave beta.

Open Energy won UK Government backing and funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

In May we held the third of our Phase 3 Advisory Groups tasked with shaping the Open Energy programme of work in the following areas: 1) Membership and 2) Delivery. The Steering Group also met to provide guidance on our overarching strategy.

The three groups convene monthly and include a wide range of industry leaders and subject matter experts, representing a cross section of private and public players with a unique contribution. Our Advisory Groups help us to understand how the UK may better modernise energy data access from a 360 perspective, and ensure that Open Energy is designed effectively for the benefit of society.

Here’s a summary of everything achieved and discussed in the May meetings.

Membership

The Membership AG was well-attended, with great engagement from all stakeholders.

Concluded this month:

• Data sensitivity classes – Open Energy will handle data of varying levels of sensitivity and this final policy document presents a system of five data sensitivity classes, from closed, through shared, to open.
• Also shared architecture overview

Still under discussion:

• Membership tiers and proposed fee structure (based on agreed charging principles of Not for Profit, proportionate and inclusive), now out for consultation until 7 June 2021
• Guidance to support Data Providers in classifying datasets
• Data access conditions that are relevant for the Data Provider in deciding whether to grant access to datasets (consultation now concluded)
• Using feedback received, distillation of the value of Open Energy to best appeal to Data Providers, Data Consumers and Service Providers

Delivery

The Delivery AG was well-attended, with great engagement from all stakeholders.

Concluded this month:

• Data sensitivity classes – Open Energy will handle data of varying levels of sensitivity and this final policy document presents a system of five data sensitivity classes, from closed, through shared, to open.
• Review of the operational guidelines sections 1 & 3.

Still under discussion:

• Private beta testing and consultation underway with various organisations including Western Power Distribution (WPD).
• Data Access: consultation document to determine conditions that Service Providers must meet in order to gain access to datasets in different sensitivity classes.
• Processing of Data: survey to enable drafting of guidelines for how Data Providers publish and classify datasets within the Open Energy ecosystem.
• Data Set Examples: to enable documentation to refer to real data in examples and  demonstrate key features.
• Amplification of Beta Testing to drive wider industry engagement and higher levels of participation – from Data Providers, Data Consumers and Service Providers.

Steering Group

The Steering Group met to discuss two key priorities:

1. Funding post-MEDA Phase 3
2. Integration with EDVP

Actions from the May meeting:

• Discuss data sensitivity classes policy with Ofgem
• Develop commercial membership proposition for Data Providers
• Support the private beta testing programme now underway
• Continue to work closely with BEIS on EDVP integration

In April we held the second of our Phase 3 Advisory Groups tasked with shaping the Open Energy programme of work in the following areas: 1) Membership and 2) Delivery. The Steering Group also met to provide guidance on our overarching strategy.

The three groups convene monthly and include a wide range of industry leaders and subject matter experts, representing a cross section of private and public players with a unique contribution. Our Advisory Groups help us to understand how the UK may better modernise energy data access from a 360 perspective, and ensure that Open Energy is designed effectively for the benefit of society.

Here’s a summary of everything achieved and discussed in the April meetings.

Membership

Approved this month:

• Open Energy Terms of Reference for the Advisory Groups and Steering Group
• Standard definitions, acronyms and terminology to be used in Open Energy (Section 2 of Operational Guidelines)
• Consultation on data sensitivity classes (closed 30-April)
• Amends to Introduction (Section 1) of Operational Guidelines
• Roadmap for future Membership Advisory Group meetings (May, June, July)
• Membership charging principles: not-for-profit, proportionate, inclusive

Still in discussion:

• Membership funding structure
  • What are the minimum viable components required to create an attractive membership proposition?
  • What are the key criteria between levels of membership?
• Governance structure
  • What is the role of the membership in decision making?
  • How can we ensure that smaller participating members are heard and larger members are not able to ‘pay for influence’?
  • What are the proposed procedures for ongoing internal governance?
  • How should we manage problem resolution and dispute policies?
• Operational Guidelines
  • Outstanding sections
  • Review of full draft
• Relationships between data providers and service providers
  • Ongoing questions concerning scope between the two

Delivery

Approved this month:

• Open Energy Terms of Reference for the Advisory Groups and Steering Group
• Standard definitions, acronyms and terminology to be used in Open Energy (Section 2 of Operational Guidelines)
• Consultation on data sensitivity classes (closed 30-April)
• Users and key players within the Open Energy ecosystem – Data Providers / Service providers / Dual roles

Still in discussion:

• The Open Energy onboarding process
  • How can we create a frictionless onboarding process for different organisations/clients/users?
  • Requirements may differ for large companies and/or SMEs due to the legal/commercial implications for their own data management/access policies 
• Data provider guidelines
  • Data sharing architecture, dynamics, processes and mechanics – including APIs
  • Potential classification issues:
    • One entity with different data sets and varying openness levels
    • Entities that are both data providers and service providers
  • How to deal with shifting collaboration partners and timed projects
• Data access policy
  • Conditions for data access, using data sensitivity classes as a starting point for discussion
• Data licensing policy
  • Potential legal and/or commercial matters that may arise as companies open/share data
  • Potential complications re: data redistribution and/or combination and/or onward sharing
  • Dealing with evolving levels of “Openness” for different datasets, especially regulated and/or code based

Steering Group

The Steering Group reviewed what we are aiming to achieve over the next six months, highlighting the importance of the Steering Group in raising and resolving any unanswered questions.

Actions from the April meeting:

• Capture use cases
  • Clarify what liability gets carried where, in which use case
• Refine communications
  • What is Open Energy?
  • What are we delivering vs what we are enabling?
  • What is the future roadmap?
• Define the pricing plan
  • What is needed in the short/medium/long term?
  • Role and approach for continuity funding

Join us as a beta tester organisation

Help shape the future of Open Energy and apply to join us as a beta tester organisation. Beta applications will close on 0900 BST 18 May 2021.

You can watch a recording of the webinar here:

Want to hear more? Contact us via email (openenergy@icebreakerone.org) or apply to join Open Energy as a beta tester [applications close 1800 BST on 21 May].

When: 17 May 2021, 11.30am-12pm BST

Where: Online, archive below

Who:

• Gea Mikic, Programme Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Kasia Kulma, Data Scientist, Icebreaker One
• Tolu Oladimeji, Data Governance & Strategy Lead, SSE
• Danae Marshall, Senior Policy Advisor, BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy)

What:

Open Energy is a new service that will enable people in the UK’s energy ecosystem to seamlessly search for, share and access shared data in an easy, secure way. It will develop a trusted ecosystem of data providers and energy data service providers, helping the sector drive towards Net Zero and resolving current challenges around opening up datasets.

This half-hour event will lay out what Open Energy will mean for data providers:

• Improving the quality and standard of your data
• Meeting your strategic targets and compliance obligations
• Engaging with stakeholders in the energy supply chains
• Enhancing your company profile and visibility of your services

The team will answer questions from the audience and share information on how to join Open Energy as a beta tester.

Open Energy won UK Government backing and funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).