Throughout the 8-week long project, we co-developed and researched a priority use case, identified relevant stakeholders, key datasets, and began to understand the challenges stakeholders face in sharing data for the chosen use case. At the end of the project, we brought together key stakeholders in a one-day innovation workshop to highlight innovations and ways to solve the challenges identified in research.

The use case co-developed through this project faces the challenge that more than 30% of households in the UK cannot install at-home EV chargepoints. This highlights the importance of affordable, public, and nearby on-street charging which requires local authorities to deliver this infrastructure in a timely, efficient, equitable and cost-effective way. 

The innovation workshop was held online to ensure representation from across the United Kingdom, and had representatives from local authorities, chargepoint operators, distribution network operators, and stakeholders specialising in the electric vehicle sector. The workshop split into five different sessions, each exploring those stakeholders’ different points of view, potential challenges, and solutions for the use case. Each session had a briefing session delving into the research for each stakeholder, then a group breakout discussion to discuss challenges and solutions in a smaller group setting. 

Toward the end of the day, there was a voting process to prioritise all of the proposed solutions so far, the top 8 solutions included:

1. Local authorities and the UK government need to target financial aid at lower revenue regions to allow equity in on-street charging access across the UK. 
2. Local authorities need to incorporate strategic planning, such as multimodal planning and identifying on-street chargepoints in locations at the intersection of different transportation modes (trains, buses, taxis, car shares).
3. Hold forums at the local and national level to promote collaboration and to allow for currently siloed stakeholders to convene to share and understand best practices.
4. Promote proactive engagement between chargepoint operators, suppliers, distribution network operators, and local authorities. Such as having a model to which stakeholders can feed in desired chargepoint locations, constraints and capacities to allow stakeholders to check relevance then contact the appropriate stakeholders for tenders and contracts. 
5. Develop a policy and strategy template kit to assist local authorities to plan for and develop chargepoint plans to avoid reinventing the wheel, and allow best practices to be collated. 
6. Have one central place where distribution network operator data and other relevant electric vehicle data are available and accessible by all stakeholders. Often local authorities do not know the sources of data available, and one central place would make it easier. 
7. Upskill local authorities with the technical skills to make use of and translate data as needed when developing on-street chargepoint plans. 
8. The UK should require operators to be Open with their data to be easily accessible by local authorities. 

These proposed solutions are the culmination of the Icebreaking process, convening stakeholders to unpack a collaboratively agreed use case. This ensures the solutions are focussed on the real challenges stakeholders face in their work. By culminating in an innovation workshop, stakeholders are able to come together to collaborate and prioritise solutions to solve the challenge at hand. 

The research, insight, and solutions developed through the innovation workshop are now being incorporated into the future work of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the Department of Transportation. 

Head of the Department for Transport’s Office of Zero Emission Vehicles, Natasha Robinson, said: “Data is at the heart of achieving our vision for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and is central to policy decision-making at all levels of Government. 

“To support local authority planning and help EV drivers navigate the charging landscape, Government will be regulating later in 2022 to open public EV chargepoint data. Our technical work to open this data is already underway, and we look forward to working with Icebreaker One to ensure that the data needed by the energy sector is made available to help EV drivers plan their journey and charge with ease.”

If you want to get in touch, you can contact us at icebreaking@icebreakerone.org. 

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 (e.g. renewable energy) and demand (e.g. vehicles).  

Since 2020, Icebreaker One has operated and co-developed Open Energy with industry and government stakeholders . Open Energy’s mission is to make it easy for any organisation in the UK to search, access and securely share energy data. It provides the infrastructure for data sharing, including powerful Energy Search, financial-grade security, and (coming soon!) easy access control for commercial data. All these efforts are underpinned by our Trust Framework for data sharing. 

These services are designed in collaboration with industry Advisory Groups and a sector Steering Group, in which we define codes of practice for the programme and the sector.

Icebreaker One is looking to understand where our current members and network have interest in participating in Advisory Groups. 

Open Energy — Advisory Groups 

The Open Energy Advisory Groups convene and combine individual expertise to help understand how the UK may better modernise energy data access. They are overseen by the Open Energy Steering Group. 

There are a few possible Advisory Groups which could be formed to further develop Open Energy. If there is an Advisory Group you’d like to see in the future that isn’t reflected below, please also let us know via the form. 

Please register your interest in participating in the following groups to identify which should be formed.

The groups we are proposing are: 

Data Licensing Advisory Group

The aim of the Data Licensing Advisory group is to develop the standard licences that are required to allow Shared Data to flow through Open Energy Access Control, in alignment with the Data Sensitivity classes. This will include key policies, such as conditions for participation, roles and responsibilities. The outputs of this group will be the necessary licences and requirements for a functioning Access Control. 

We are seeking individuals with the following knowledge or experience: 

• Legal professionals, especially those with energy data and/or other data licensing expertise
• Energy data providers who are familiar with or wish to share their data under a shared data licence through Open Energy
• Data consumers, startups and innovators
• In-house data governance and compliance
• Information security, with a focus on data sharing 
• Digital and data transformation Data policy analysts
• Open data licensing, open source and content licensing – specifically to understand lessons that have been learnt in this area and, where applicable how they may apply to shared licensing

Metadata Standards Advisory Group

The aim of the Metadata Standards Advisory Group is to agree to the metadata standards for publishing data to Open Energy. Further to the Energy Data Visualisation Project (EDVP) recommendation to “continue the development and evolution of EDVP” this advisory group recognises the need for industry collaboration, co-design, and feedback of a metadata standard for publishing energy data. This advisory group will inform the development of Energy Search for organisations to search, publish, and share data through Open Energy. 

We are seeking individuals with the following knowledge or experience: 

• Energy data owners or providers
• Energy data consumers, including startups
• Data analysts, in particular those responsible for finding and utilising data within the energy or policy making sector
• Data and/or metadata publishing and maintenance
• Experience of managing data catalogues
• Data managers
• Experience and knowledge of open data
• Experience of CKAN
• Experience of standard systems, processes and technologies used in the energy industry
• Policy and compliance

We are considering piloting Open Energy Working Groups, as a chance to operationalise particular use cases which have come up in the development of Open Energy thus far. 

Energy Security and Resilience Working Group

The aim of the Energy Security and Resilience Working group is to proactively address this winter’s energy security in supply, demand and efficiency (reduction of consumption) domains. Although the recent British Energy Security Strategy sets out future policy direction and targets, many of these developments will not be addressed in time for this coming winter (2022-23) and may impact hitting our binding Net Zero targets.

Improve energy security in supply, demand and efficiency includes: accelerating the switch to a new energy mix; reducing energy use across the UK (domestic, public and commercial); smartly scheduling moveable demand where possible to reduce peaks; and ensuring economic stability while  the cost-of-living crisis. To achieve this, there needs to be a coordinated understanding of where energy is being used, where it can be reduced or shifted, and how this relates to network supply and distribution.  Current modelling, while advanced, does not have the right quantity, quality, diversity, granularity and time resolution to maximise the benefit for the whole system.  Industry, Government and consumers need better access to data and information to help reduce risk, increase efficiency and maximise resilience. 

We are seeking individuals from the following organisations, with the knowledge or experience of : 

• Energy generation, transmission and distribution
• Renewable energy
• Micro and community energy generation
• Cyber security
• Economics
• Public policy
• Geo-politics
• Consumer energy suppliers 
• Ofgem
• Consumer Advocacy
• Fuel poverty and associated vulnerabilities (e.g. health, disability, young families, older residents etc.)

Public Electric Vehicle Working Group

The aim of the Electric Vehicle Working Group is to operationalise the use case developed through the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles’ Icebreaking Process. The use case faces the challenge of more than 30% of households in the UK cannot install at-home EV chargepoints. This highlights the importance of affordable, public, and nearby on-street charging which requires local authorities to deliver this infrastructure in a timely, efficient, equitable and cost-effective way. This working group will be working to explore and operationalise how data can help the dilemmas that arise from the huge challenge of satisfying the coming demand for on-street charging.

We are seeking individuals from the following organisations, with the knowledge or experience of : 

• Chargepoint operators
• Chargepoint manufacturers
• Electricity transmission operators
• Consultancies who offer services in the EV space 
• Connections departments of DNOs
• Local Authority Energy and Electric Vehicle planners
• Transportation authorities

Fleet Electrification Working Group

The aim of this group will be to analyse the operational, technical, legal, licensing, and policy considerations for commercial vehicle electrification. This group will comprise a collective of people from organisations to whom the EV use case applies and who are focused on operationalising/showing the end-to-end delivery of it.

We are seeking individuals from the following organisations, with the knowledge or experience of : 

• Fleet and industrial vehicle operators/business owners
• Chargepoint operators
• Chargepoint manufacturers
• Electricity transmission operators
• Consultancies who offer services in the EV space 
• Connections departments of DNOs
• Local Authority Energy and Electric Vehicle planners
• Transportation authorities

Residential Heat Working Group

The aim of the Heat Working Group is to operationalise the Future of Heating use case developed through the August 2021-February 2022 Pilot Phase of Open Energy. The use case focuses on a new residential housing developer who will no longer be able to install gas-based solutions, but needs to be able to properly equip properties for heating needs without placing unsustainable demands on the grid while still being in line with regulatory requirements. This working group analyses the operational, technical, legal, licensing, and policy considerations when accessing the data required to analyse the optimal combination of up-front costs and reduction in grid connections.

We are seeking individuals from the following organisations, with the knowledge or experience of : 

• Residential property developers, responsible for making decisions about low-carbon heating installations in new developments
• DNOs, responsible for determining grid headroom and capacity for new developments
• Low carbon heating manufacturers and service providers, particularly those producing smart components and/or using data to drive product and service development
• Mechanical and electrical engineers, responsible for decision-making of low-carbon heating installations and their operation
• Local authorities – for example, those in planning departments responsible for implementing local policies 
• Architects and other consultants, responsible for decision-making of low-carbon heating installations 
• Citizens Advice, representing consumers
• Insurance companies, specifically individuals who require further information around the cover offered in the eventuality of complex incidents such as flooding and storm damage to assets that might be installed as a consequence of reducing grid connection requirements.

Have we missed something? Let us know via the form.

Join Us

Please register your interest in participating in the groups to identify which should be formed.

If you’d like to be a part of the Open Energy community, where you can get regular updates and review our most current documentation for Open Energy, please sign up to our newsletter. Please get in touch with us at openenergy@icebreakerone.org if you have any questions.

It includes:

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

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

To enable this, OZEV needs to understand the data requirements and current data challenges. These include data sharing between Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), local authorities and chargepoint operators. 

Icebreaker One held a workshop on March 28th with stakeholders from OZEV, Department of Transport, chargepoint operators, distribution network operators and local authorities to discuss and collaboratively agree on a priority use case topic to understand the datasets, challenges, and barriers stakeholders face in sharing EV data. 

The priority use case topic agreed following discussion and voting by workshop participants is: 

Local authorities want to be able to better plan on-street charging for those with no access to at-home chargepoints. 

The options we considered

Prior to the meeting, the IB1 research team drafted a long-list of over 40 use cases through a literature review of existing reports and news relating to the EV infrastructure, and interviews with key stakeholders. Then, those use cases were narrowed down to 16, then to a top 4 use case shortlist  through internal input and a vote by key representatives from OZEV. In the workshop, participants had a chance to read, understand and discuss the top 4 finalist use cases:

1. Chargepoint operators want to identify the optimal locations for chargepoint installations
2. Local authorities want to identify gaps in chargepoint infrastructure that is or will be served by commercial operators 
3. Chargepoint manufacturers want to better understand network flexibility requirements/need for demand management so they can build functionality into their products
4. Local authorities want to be able to better plan on-street charging for those with no access to at-home chargepoints

After discussing the use cases, participants had a chance to vote for the use case to take forward to better understand the datasets, challenges and barriers stakeholders face in sharing EV data. 

About this use case

The use case that received the most votes was option 4, looking at how to use data to enable local authorities to better plan on-street EV charging for those with no access to at-home chargepoints.  

This use case tackles the challenge of 30% households in the UK having no access to off-street parking. This use case could map the spatial distribution of these households and assess options for installation of on-street/alternative charging options (e.g. via lamp-posts, charging bollards etc, as well as destination charging, charging hubs, potentially workplace charging) and includes the distribution of private/shared infrastructure and smart charging options. 

This use case supports findings from a recent CMA consultation which found EV drivers could save around £100 per year if they had access to on-street (preferably smart) charging instead of using rapid charging via public chargepoints. Furthermore, using slower and smart charging options increases battery life, reducing EV churn and battery waste. This may have additional secondary benefits by increasing the reliability and longevity of the second-hand EV market due to improved battery life and charge retention (particularly in the absence of national standards for car dealers to assess and publicise this during sales).

Getting involved

The next step in this project will be to further flesh out this use case and build a fuller understanding of the stakeholders, potential datasets, benefits of enabling the use case, barriers to implementation, and challenges of interoperability for the use case. 

This will be done through further desk research and stakeholder interviews, if you think you may have information relating to this use case, please contact us at openenergy@icebreakerone.org. 

Project NIMBUS will revolutionise the way detailed meteorological data and models are used in the design and decision-making of electricity assets, through innovative uses of the data and predictive modelling techniques.

In the 8-week long Discovery Phase, NIMBUS will develop business-driven use cases for the application of detailed meteorological data as a proof-of-concept and allow for a clear cost-benefit analysis to be taken into the Alpha phase of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund. To develop this use case, Icebreaker One conducted research and held a workshop with SSEN Transmission, SSEN Distribution, and the Met Office. The three finalist use case ideas that came out of the workshop are:

1. Historical accident data to identify “high risk/high incident” parts of the system that need investment.
2. Model weather-related degradation to Probability of Failure (PoF) for assets connecting large volumes of generation to the grid
3. Predictive hazard identification for extreme weather events using remote monitoring

Through further research and stakeholder engagement, use case 2, model granular weather-related degradation to Probability of Failure (PoF) for assets connecting large volumes of generation to the grid has been chosen as the Project NIMBUS Use Case.

Use Case Development Process

As part of the use case development process, Icebreaker One research team compiled a long list of use cases that use meteorological data to build asset resilience such as using weather data in the design and decision-making process for an energy Systems Operator. This was developed through desk research, and interviews with key SSE stakeholders including asset risk and data scientist experts, as well as meteorological academics.   

Icebreaker One held a workshop to narrow down from nearly 40 to the top three impactful use cases to be taken forward in the Discovery phase of this project.  The workshop was attended by a range of participants from across SSE and the Met Office. These included members from the Asset Risk and Asset Management teams from SSE Transmission, data scientists and system managers from SSE Network Distribution, as well as asset policy, strategy and innovation specialists. 

The Met Office domain experts were invited to participate in the discussion by providing important context and meteorological acumen. They did not participate in any voting to ensure the use cases were driven by the needs of the network operators.

The Use Case Prioritisation Workshop

The aim of the session was to narrow down the focus of NIMBUS in a clear, transparent and methodological way. It presented a chance for various members of the team to collaboratively agree on what to consider while choosing which use cases to focus on for the current project phase. 

Participants were presented with the long list of use cases that were put together by the Icebreaker One team. 

The long list spanned a vast number of ideas, which were roughly broken down into three types:

• Historical or event-based
• Real-time or near-term close predictions
• Longer-term predictions and planning

While meteorologists prefer to categorise the ideas in terms of hazards (such as flooding, heatwaves, windstorms or wildfires), the initial exercise focused on simple elimination through a Google form. This allowed for discussion, merging to remove duplicates, indicating overlapping projects, and adding new thoughts. Each SSE member was given a maximum number of votes per use case type. All use cases scoring 2 or less thus did not make it through to the shortlist. 

After a quick break, the 10 ideas with the highest number of votes from vote one were gathered into a separate spreadsheet for vote two.

Voting on the Project NIMBUS Alpha Use Case 

Vote two consisted of five rounds to deprioritise use case ideas to arrive at three shortlist “finalists”. The team were asked to consider the following criteria while deciding which use cases to progress: 

The strategy used included picking from use cases that received less votes to survive the current voting round, with the opportunity for individuals to discuss and support their choices with the rest of the team during each stage of elimination. An example of how this method works is shown below using fruit:

As pairs and then individual use cases survived the consecutive polling rounds, all popular use cases were eventually compared to arrive at a final three. 

 The three finalist use case ideas that came out of the workshop are as follows:

4. Ref: NIM 4 Historical accident data to identify “high risk/high incident” parts of the system that need investment
5. Ref: NIM 30 Model weather-related degradation to Probability of Failure (PoF) for assets connecting large volumes of generation to the grid
6. Ref: NIM 31 Predictive hazard identification for extreme weather events using remote monitoring

The next steps will be using the Icebreaker One use case framework to further flesh out these use cases through desk research and targeted stakeholder engagement for the then for the NIMBUS team to perform a cost/benefit analysis on the Project NIMBUS Alpha Use Case. 

[if you would like to speak to us about your work and how it relates to Project NIMBUS, please get in touch with vichi@icebreakerone.org]

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

The NIMBUS project will explore how meteorological data can be made available to energy networks to improve their efficiency, security and resilience. 

The project has won funding from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

Weather conditions have a major impact on power networks, with the potential to disrupt electricity supply to customers and damage infrastructure like pylons, power lines and substations. 

Better access to real-time weather data will help networks manage their response during weather events.  In the long-term, a range of meteorological data will help them make the network more resilient to the changing climate, by upgrading or adapting the infrastructure most at risk from extreme weather. 

It comes as this week’s report from the global authority on climate science, the UN’s IPCC, warned that extreme weather caused by climate change is accelerating. 

Last month, Storm Eunice left more than a million homes across the UK without power. 

Better weather data could also help energy networks integrate more renewable energy technology, like wind, solar and tidal, and battery storage, helping them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The project’s discovery phase will explore what data energy networks need, and how they’re likely to use it to reduce emissions and make the UK’s power networks more resilient. It will also quantify the positive impact on the UK’s millions of energy customers if access to weather data is improved. 

Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO of Icebreaker One, said: “Improving access to the UK’s weather data is a huge step forward on our road to net zero. 

“Energy networks need access to detailed, accurate meteorological data to prepare for weather events and integrate renewable technology in the right places and at the right times. It’s part of making sure our energy networks are prepared to adapt to climate change, and stop it getting worse. 

“Meteorological data is a vital part of the web of net zero data that Icebreaker One is developing. We need to connect, not collect, data if we’re going to be successful at tackling climate change on the scale we need. 

“The stark warnings from climate scientists are clear: we are not yet on track to slow down climate change, extreme weather events are more frequent and more serious, and we need to reduce emissions drastically. At the same time, we need to prepare and adapt to the enormous impacts of climate change. 

“We’re delighted to be working alongside SSEN Transmission and Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund on this project.” 

This project is funded by energy network users and consumers through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a programme from the UK’s independent energy regulator Ofgem managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

See the full list of Strategic Innovation Fund projects here.

The need to get to net zero underpins all of it. 

Getting to net zero makes our energy system more complex: renewable power generation and flexibility and storage technologies all make our power grid more decentralised. Meanwhile, as our overall power use shifts towards electricity, reliability and cost-efficiency is more important than ever.

This level of decentralisation and reliability can only happen if data can be shared: securely, efficiently and in real time.  

That’s the vision at the heart of Ofgem’s RIIO-ED2, a performance-based model for the spending and investment of energy network companies that determines how they will operate between 2023 and 2030. 

What RIIO-ED2 means for data sharing

Ofgem’s vision for the future is set to speed up the pace of digitalisation in the energy sector. 

It focuses network operators on their plans for data sharing, digitalisation, flexibility and forward planning, requiring them to share and coordinate energy data use better. 

Ofgem decided that DNOs must: 

• publish and regularly review a Digitalisation Strategy & Action Plan in accordance with their guidance
• use data in a way that meets the expectations of Data Best Practice guidance.

Network operators have submitted their business plans for this new RIIO period: now, they need to deliver on the commitments they’ve made. 

That means network operators need to scale up their data maturity quickly, helping them to efficiently exchange large quantities of data in a secure way. Sharing individual datasets manually drives up legal, administration and data-handling costs and introduces more potential for human error.

How Open Energy helps deliver RIIO-ED2 business plans 

Open Energy makes it easy to search, access and securely share energy data. It covers both Open Data and commercial Shared Data where access requires control. It’s a non-profit service run by a non-partisan organisation, Icebreaker One. 

Open Energy uses open standards to make data interoperable between different systems and organisations, using financial-grade security and a powerful search engine to make data discovery fast and secure. 

For organisations holding vast quantities of data – like network operators – Open Energy improves the data sharing process by automating security checks and legal contracts. ‘The data owners sets their terms once over a defined period, then lets Open Energy do the rest.

In the short term, Open Energy helps networks to plan effectively and meet new digitalisation and data-sharing license obligations, like making their data discoverable, searchable and shareable. 

In the long term, Open Energy helps networks moving through the transition from DNO to DSO by meeting their enhanced data requirements.

How Open Energy helps organisations comply with Data Best Practice Guidance

How Open Energy helps organisations deliver their Digitalisation Strategy and Action Plan 

Open Energy is a non-profit service designed to transform data sharing in the energy system. It accelerates the journey to net zero, enables innovation, and helps organisations comply with fast-moving regulation. 

Come to our next webinar

Read more about emerging regulation 

Find out more about using Open Energy

The two groups are composed of 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 February meetings.

Membership & Delivery

The group discussed:

• The recent Energy Digitalisation Task Force report recommendations
• An update on how Open Energy is progressing
• Shared the published Pilot Use Case 1 blog – (Use Case 1 is how the energy industry can ensure DNOs have the data they need to support a network that’s able to meet EV user needs)
• An update on how Use Case 2 is developing (Use Case 2 is how new residential housing developers can reduce grid reliance when building new housing developments) 
• Presented an ecosystem diagram for the MEDA core use case and how this could apply to future use cases
• An update on the membership terms and website terms and conditions
• A review of Open Energy’s DPIA, record of processing, and privacy notice
• Review of IB1’s shortlist of priority organisation to approach for becoming new members 

User Needs

The group discussed:

• The recent Energy Digitalisation Task Force report recommendations and what we should prioritise for the next stages of development
• An update on how Open Energy is progressing
• Presented an ecosystem diagram for the MEDA core use case and how this could apply to future use cases
• The final version of the Use Case 1 blog publication
• The challenges with developing the final use case of the pilot phase, as described in this blog post
• An update from our tech team on how they are building on previous work to build a set of Jupyter notebooks to introduce data analysts to OE through enabling them to get hands-on experience with it. 

Steering Group

In this session, the Steering Group discussed

• Reflections from the pilot phase and what we have learned throughout last six months, and where to go from here
• What is coming next for Open Energy, and how it will continue to develop
• How open energy can deliver the Energy Digitalisation Task Force recommendations 
• An update on the final use case development 
• The achievements and progress for the Membership & Delivery Advisory Group
• The achievements and progress for the User Needs Advisory Group

If you’d like to sign up to be a part of the community review track, click here or email openenergy@icebreakerone.org. 

Open Energy, a service that makes it easy to search, access and securely share energy data is being developed based on use cases. Taking this use case approach helps ensure the Open Energy service is  designed to address real-world problems put forward by industry stakeholders. 

The third use case from Open Energy’s Pilot phase focuses on the future of heating in the UK. It will illustrate how data sharing can support developers of new residential properties to install low-carbon heating systems that meet regulatory requirements in a cost-effective way. 

Government strategy means that, by 2025, all new homes will be banned from installing gas and oil boilers and will instead need to be heated by low-carbon alternatives that are less familiar and, in many cases, are likely to place higher demands on the electricity network. Residential property developers will therefore need to think more holistically about how to meet the heating energy demands of their developments. 

In the wake of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee’s report – Decarbonising heat in homes – which highlighted the scale, complexity, and cost of the challenge, the focus of our third use case is particularly timely. 

However, as is often the case with anything worth doing, we hit a few road bumps along the journey to this outcome. 

The starting point for our third use case

In Autumn 2021, members of the Open Energy Steering and Advisory Groups, including representatives from government, regulators, consumer bodies, trade associations and industry, identified potential areas of focus for new use cases. Broad areas considered during this process included electricity supply flexibility, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel poverty, heat pumps, smart meter adoption rates, and the transition away from domestic gas boilers/heating.

Following input from Advisory and Steering Group members, Icebreaker One prioritised flexibility in the energy market (or ‘flex’), as the key area of focus for the development of our third use case. 

The challenge with focusing on a theme, rather than a problem

However, flex as a theme proved challenging to pin down to a specific use case, for two key reasons. 

1. It is a very broad theme, with flexibility arguably having a key role to play across multiple facets of the energy ecosystem. 
2. Flexibility in the energy market, and how it can be delivered and managed, is still in the early stages of development. Thus, it has been challenging to identify real-world problems that better data access could help solve now (or in the near future). 

As an example of the latter challenge, one problem statement considered for development into a use case was as follows:

‘A flexible asset operator wants the ability to offer its available flexibility into the different markets for flexibility (ESO, DNO/DSO, wholesale suppliers, potentially peer-to-peer sales), and needs access to relevant data so it can sell its assets more effectively to those that need them.’

However, following discussion with key stakeholders, it became clear that a number of potential markets for the sale of flexibility are under development, or not yet in existence, and further work needs to be done around the regulatory and legal restrictions of managing such services in an evolving market. 

Thus, while it is certain that this is a problem that needs solving, the obstacles to progress are much bigger than data sharing alone can currently solve – though this may not always be the case.  

A slight shift in approach

A change in focus was needed. So, Icebreaker One pivoted its approach to consider the real-world issues that stakeholders in the energy industry are facing now and in the near future, and that the Open Energy service could help address.  

The future of heating leapt to the forefront, given the ban on the installation on gas and oil boilers in new properties is only three years away. The electrification of heating will place higher demands on the electricity network, and more complex modelling will be required to ensure regulatory requirements are met while keeping pressure on the network to a minimum.  

For residential property developers, this will involve not only establishing the most appropriate heating equipment for the location and property types, but also how demands on the grid can be managed through the installation of superior insulation, renewable sources of energy and – bringing us full circle to our original focus – equipment and systems to support flexibility. 

In this complex ecosystem, data will be key to working out the best solutions.

Open Energy’s third use case problem statement

Icebreaker One has therefore prioritised the problem statement behind our third use case as follows: 

‘A new residential housing developer (or an Mechanical & Electrical contractor operating on its behalf) wants to know how to reduce grid reliance and minimise grid connection requirements when building and kitting out new housing developments with energy technology (both the heating technologies themselves and renewable/flex resources that could reduce grid reliance) while still being in line with regulatory requirements. 

‘It needs data to be able to analyse the optimal combination of up-front costs vs reduction in grid connection in terms of overall cost of development.’

How can Icebreaker One’s Open Energy programme help?

Open Energy will make it easy for stakeholders across the industry to search, access and securely share energy data. This data can be open or shared (such as access being restricted to specific Data Consumers and/or requiring payment for accessing the data). 

Its service will enable residential developers (or those operating on their behalf) to understand the data available to help them plan the best heating solutions for their development, and to access and licence this data in a more streamlined manner. This will help property developers to:

• Use the data to analyse options and establish the most cost-effective solution
• Ensure their properties are sustainably developed in a way that is compliant with regulatory requirements around decarbonisation and keeps demands on the electricity network to a minimum. 

Help us develop this use case and make Open Energy a reality

Open Energy’s use cases are designed to demonstrate the value of the Open Energy programme and to catalyse innovation, by illustrating how better, more streamlined access to energy data can support specific industry needs based on focused, real-world problems.

To fully develop this use case, and help ensure it addresses the needs and concerns of potential Data Consumers and Data Providers, we would welcome feedback on:

• The opportunities and benefits this use case presents
• The challenges of implementation
• The data required for implementation (including any specific, known datasets, whether open or shared).

If you have insights that could help us develop this use case, whether you’re a potential Data Consumer or Data Provider, please email openenergy@icebreakerone.org.

Get involved with Open Energy

• 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 Icebreaker One 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

The two groups are composed of 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 January meetings.

Membership & Delivery

The group discussed:

• Potential barriers stakeholder face when deciding to sign up to become a member of Open Energy
• An update on how Open Energy is progressing
• The communications effort focussed around winning support for Open Energy with key stakeholders including DNOs, government, SMEs and innovators and how these messages can be improved to be more persuasive
• Progress on the use case prioritisation process occurring in the User Needs Advisory Group
• An update on the membership contracting and website terms and conditions
• A review of Open Energy’s DPIA, record of processing, and privacy notice
• What the Open Energy tech team has been doing, including: operational monitoring, data set entry, adding OE Search and discovery to analyst’s tools, and analyst user journeys being prototyped in Jupyter Notebook

Still under discussion: 

• What other tools should we be looking at for Open Energy integration?
• We are looking for Open Energy customers to help us shape the product proposition and user experience ideally with people in these roles) CTO, DNO Developer, Startup Developer, and Consultant. If you are interested, please email us at openenergy@icebreakerone.org.

User Needs

The group discussed:

• How to make the user needs and use case prioritisation process repeatable with further use cases and maintain stakeholder engagement
• An update on how Open Energy is progressing
• Prioritising the two potential use cases to explore next, including:
  • a flexibility asset builder would like to know where to build assets and of what type to ensure a return on investment and 
  • a mechanical and electrical contractor wants to know how to reduce grid reliance and grid connection requirements for new housing developments. 
• An update on the progressing electric vehicle (EV) use case 
• The communications effort focussed around winning support for Open Energy with key stakeholders including DNOs, government, SMEs and innovators and how these messages can be improved to be more persuasive

Still under discussion: 

• Feedback on the two presented use cases to take forward 
• Any final feedback on the EV use case ahead of official documentation 

Steering Group

In this session, the Steering Group discussed

• Reflections from 2021 on what we have learned throughout the last year of Open Energy
• Challenges we are facing on aspects which are lacking, barriers to success, and how to overcome them
• The road forward for market engagement
• Refining messaging for with our communications team
• The achievements and progress for the Membership & Delivery Advisory Group
• The achievements and progress for the User Needs Advisory Group

Advisory and Steering Group membership applications have closed, if you’d like to sign up to be a part of the community review track, click here or email openenergy@icebreakerone.org. 

Icebreaker One’s Open Energy programme is designed to make it easy to search, access and securely share energy data. Backed by Ofgem and the UK Government, it will bring together data held by thousands of individual organisations and institutions in an open marketplace. Currently in its pilot stage, the Open Energy service is being developed based on use cases that are designed to address real-world problems put forward by industry stakeholders. 

One use case currently in development is focused on how Open Energy will help electrical network and system operators meet the evolving and growing needs of EV users. We’ve conducted detailed interviews with the people on the front line of making this happen – here’s what we know so far.

Why the UK needs more EV charging points

The switch from conventionally-fuelled to emission-free vehicles forms a core part of the UK government’s Net Zero strategy, with the sale of new petrol and diesel (internal combustion engine, or ICE) cars to be banned by 2030. The reason for this is clear; transport produced 27% of the UK’s total emissions in 2019. The ban on the sale of new ICE cars, combined with lower running costs for EVs and an anticipated drop in up-front EV prices, means we can expect an explosion in EVs on the road over the coming years. 

But, as anyone who drives an EV knows, our EV charging infrastructure is inadequate. Not every household is in a position to install its own charge point, and even those that are will sometimes make use of public chargers. The UK government estimates that, by 2030, the country will need around 400,000 public charging points. But, as of December 2021, according to ZapMap, there are fewer than 30,000 public charging devices. This is a massive ramp up, and doesn’t even take into account the anticipated rise in installation of home EV charge points. 

In itself, the need for an exponential increase in charge points is a massive logistical challenge. But what’s arguably an even greater challenge is the capacity of our electricity network to cope with the rising demands placed on it. 

What’s standing in the way

Central to the task of ensuring that demands placed on the grid by the rising uptake of EVs are the UK’s Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). Their connection departments are responsible for processing and managing requests to the grid for electricity in the here and now, as well as forecasting future capacity requirements so that they can prioritise where to invest in greater capacity.

They need to know when and where charge points will be installed (domestic, public, commercial and industrial), the nature of these charge points (slow, rapid, ultrarapid, for example), and how they are utilised. But there is currently no mandatory registration of installations, with data having to be pulled from multiple sources. Data on utilisation of different types of charge point and plans for future installations is even more patchy and problematic to access. Concerns from those that hold the data may include reservations about access control, and whether their data is in a format that is suitable for sharing.

These challenges with data access make it inefficient and challenging for DNOs to plan for likely capacity requirements. This is only going to become trickier as EV uptake accelerates, potentially resulting in a too-slow rollout of charge points. 

Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data Management at UK Power Networks, told us:

‘The likely future demand on the electricity network that will be created through the accelerating uptake of EVs poses a significant challenge for network operators. We are faced with the need to meet customer and stakeholder expectations through the facilitation of timely connection of all forms of EV charging infrastructure while maintaining continuity and quality of electricity supply at lowest possible cost to the customer.

‘To ensure we are ready to service increasing numbers of fuse upgrades and potential network reinforcement where aggregate demand from EVs has the potential to exceed local network capacity, we require insight into potential and actual charge point installation and utilisation. The provision of data from a variety of stakeholders is key in this respect and the Open Energy programme has the potential to streamline processes to help meet this need and the challenge of delivering an electricity infrastructure that is fit for the future.’   

Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data Management at UK Power Networks

How Open Energy helps 

Open Energy makes data sharing simpler by automating data licensing, security checks, and technical integration. It can work with organisations that hold the data needed by DNOs, bringing it together into a one-stop shop with appropriate security and access controls, and in a consistent format. Using Open Energy, a DNO will vastly improve its access to the data they need to help make sure that grid capacity can meet the demand from newly installed EV charge points. They will be able to access this information more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before. They will be able to access hundreds of datasets with just one round of authentication and technical integration. 

In turn, it will allow DNOs to collaborate more effectively with other industry stakeholders. As well as accessing others’ data, DNOs can publish their own data securely, safe in the knowledge that only authenticated users can access it. It means no need to agree to a unique set of terms and conditions every time someone requests your data. Agree to Open Energy rules and policies once, and they’ll be applied automatically every time data is shared. 

Ultimately, better access to data via the Open Energy programme will help break down silos and ensure that an increase in the number of EVs – and EV charging points – does not place unsustainable demands on our energy resources. This will, in turn, help ensure that the UK is able to meet its ambitious targets for EV ownership by 2030 and beyond. 

Get involved

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

Photo credit: Precious Madubuike on Unsplash

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.

Development of the specifications was informed by desk research and two sets of Advisory Group consultation and was guided by design principles of fairness, transparency and proportionality.

The specifications outline which access condition types can be supported in the Pilot phase, five proof pathways, and the associated roles and responsibilities of different entities within the Open Energy ecosystem. Design may be subject to iterative change in response to testing and feedback.

Please find the latest version of Open Energy’s Data Access Specifications here.

The Advisory Groups are composed of 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 and Steering Group play a critical role in Open Energy’s development, providing us with a valuable perspective which ensures Open Energy is designed for and with the energy sector. 

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

Membership & Delivery

The group discussed:

• How to ensure Open Energy is continues to be front of mind for the energy sector
• Presented the proposed data access specifications in order to ensure the security of Access Control
• Presented the user-centered product design research process, and the customer journey / experience map based upon a potential member role
• The proposed Open Energy onboarding flows – the “checklist” of what a member would need to do to join Open Energy based upon the member role

Still under discussion: 

• Data access specification refinement
• Data onboarding flow documentation

User Needs

The group discussed:

• The Advisory Group members’ thoughts on recent electric vehicle legislation
• The process Open Energy has followed so far in the development of a use case, and the planned next steps
• The preliminary proposed Flex use case case, and a discussion around the outstanding questions which remain
• The detailed electric vehicle use case, and a discussion on the necessary data, opportunities and benefits of the use case, and outreach to who we should contact to further build it out

Still under discussion: 

• Further work on the electric vehicle use case
• Developing a specific Flex or gas transition use case based upon the Advisory Group’s feedback and further research

Steering Group

In this session, the Steering Group discussed

• Achievements & progress for the Membership & Delivery AG
• Achievements and progress for the User Needs AG
• The proposed electric vehicle use case and provided their guidance and feedback
• The user-centered product design and customer journey work

Advisory and Steering Group membership applications have closed, if you’d like to sign up to be a part of the community review track, click here or email openenergy@icebreakerone.org. 

Background

As part of the Modernising Energy Data Access (MEDA) competition, a core use case was developed to demonstrate the benefits of an Open Energy Search and Access Control. This focused around a Local Authority looking to understand the impact of retrofitting Low Carbon Technologies and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points across a large estate. 

As part of our user needs-based approach, two further use cases are being developed. These will further develop the value of better data access: making energy data more robust, shareable, and easily accessible, and outlining the benefits of the Open Energy approach to stakeholders across the market.

Use case prioritisation process

Step 1

Members of the Open Energy Steering and Advisory Groups, including representatives from government, regulators, consumer bodies, trade associations and industry, identified potential areas of focus for new use cases.

Broad areas were considered during this process, including flexibility, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel poverty, heat pumps, smart meter adoption rates, and the transition away from gas boilers/heating.

Step 2

Following prioritisation discussions with the Steering and Advisory Groups, focus was narrowed to two candidates: 

• Electric Vehicles (EVs)
  The switch from conventionally-fuelled to emission-free vehicles forms a core part of the UK government’s Net Zero strategy, with the adoption of EVs expected to increase at an exponential rate over the next decade. To support this uptake, it is essential that a comprehensive charging infrastructure is in place. New legislation requiring all new building developments to have EV charging points will contribute to this.
  
  However, as it stands, it’s felt that the grid lacks enough capacity and/or flexibility to support the anticipated increase in electricity demand as a result of the mass adoption of EVs. Better, and better access to, data will help ensure that an increase in the number of EVs – and EV charging points – does not place unsustainable demands on our energy resources. Our EV use case will explore this opportunity through the lens of a specific stakeholder, map the data value chain required and engage with actors within it.

• Flexibility (‘flex’)
  The way the UK sources its energy is continuing to evolve away from the certainty of electricity supplied by a relatively small number of large power stations, to the distributed energy supply of multiple low-carbon technologies. The ability of these distributed resources to supply electricity at given times of day or year is more variable and less linear and the costs of managing this variability are high. In parallel,  customer demand patterns are changing as the UK electrifies its heating, transport, and related areas. This will require a move to a far more flexible system – in both supply and demand. As with EVs, our flex use case will demonstrate how Energy Search and Access Control could support this flexibility, from the perspective of a particular stakeholder (for example, a flexible asset owner), map the data value chain required, and engage with actors within it.

Step 3

Members of the Steering and Advisory Groups have put forward specific problem statements in each of these areas that improved access to energy data could help address. Over the period from December 2021 to February 2022, the Open Energy programme will work with stakeholders in each of these priority areas to detail the specific use cases for development, with a view to publication by the end of February 2022. 

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