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.

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

Data Sensitivity Classes

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

Consultation during policy development informed a range of changes including:

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

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

Data Access Conditions

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

Consultation during policy development informed a range of adaptations including:

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

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

Data Licensing 

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

Consultation during policy development informed a range of changes including:

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

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

What’s next? 

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

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.

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).

We urgently need to take action to mitigate climate change. While there is clearly a need for bold leadership, no single organisation or sector can act entirely in isolation. Energy is a complex, interconnected system – bringing with it risks of unintended consequences and of significant inertia. Closed datasets impede the coordination and collaboration we desperately need, prolonging the status quo and locking out new entrants and insights.

At the Centre for Net Zero, our mission is to realise faster, fairer and more affordable paths to net zero. At the heart of our work is a not-for-profit Open Research Lab. We lead groundbreaking global research on the biggest questions in the energy transition, and make our data, models and reports freely available for everyone to understand, challenge and build on.

One of the questions we’re exploring is how the structure of our energy markets can support the transition to net zero. In order to make sensible changes to the way that our energy markets work, we need to think about the whole system – identifying impacts and feedback loops that might not be intuitive. Data is one of the essential ingredients to this, but no one party has all the data they need to think about the system as a whole. Relatedly, a key part of our mission is supporting the fairness of the energy transition. Access to wider datasets helps protect against implicit biases within the data we work with, and safeguard against unintended impacts on particular parts of society.

The Open Energy programme offers exciting new possibilities for thinking about the energy system in a more joined up way. At the moment it’s hard to imagine the impact of new policies or market structures because it’s hard to track how people, markets and physical systems all interact. But underpinned by shared data, it’s possible to stitch together real-world measurements and models of the various parts of the energy system to create what’s called a Digital Twin. 

With that, we can start to ask insightful questions about what we might do to change the rules of the system. For example, what if we were to dramatically cut the cost of adopting heat pumps, or make unit energy costs reflect the dynamic utilisation of the local network, or introduce a new way to reward electric vehicles for the flexibility they offer. Answering any one of these questions requires data from across the energy system (and beyond) – from the physical networks and assets through to the way we expect individuals and businesses to behave. Making it easier to share, discover and link data are the first steps along that path.

“[Our] new modelling strategy will increase transparency and collaboration. This will improve our insights and increase confidence in policy.” UK Government’s Energy White Paper, December 2020

The benefits to our net-zero transition could be enormous. There is great potential to underpin broader and more productive research collaborations. I see a growing number of passionate and intelligent people coming to this mission, and an urgent need to find effective ways for them to contribute and collaborate. I also believe there is a real opportunity for the UK to establish a leadership position around energy data, which can facilitate change on a global scale.

For the Centre for Net Zero this means the opportunity for greater impact – through richer analysis for policy makers, business leaders and investors, which in turn allows them to make bolder decisions about their role in the transition.

About the Centre for Net Zero

Backed by Octopus Energy, the Centre for Net Zero is an Open Research Lab focused on the energy transition and working closely with governments, cities, investors and businesses around the world to get us to net zero quickly, fairly and affordably. Find out more at CentreForNetZero.org.

About Icebreaker One

Icebreaker One is a UK-based non-profit making data work harder to deliver net-zero, working across agriculture, energy, transport, water and the built world. Its Open Energy project aims to revolutionise the way energy data is shared in the UK and create an energy data ecosystem that works for everyone. More information at IcebreakerOne.org

We heard firsthand from Rosie McGlynn at PassivSystems – our first beta user of the service – about her own experience of using the product. You can watch a recording of the webinar here:

Want to hear more? Register to find out how to become an Open Energy member.

When: 19 April 2021 – 2pm-2.30pm BST

Where: Online, sign up via Eventbrite

Who:

• Gea Mikic, Programme Manager, Icebreaker One (Chair)
• Emily Judson, Research Associate – Open Energy, Icebreaker One
• Frank Wales, Product Innovation Lead, Icebreaker One 
• Rosie McGlynn, Senior Programme Manager, PassivSystems, the first Beta user of Open Energy

What:

Open Energy is a new live service that will enable energy stakeholders to seamlessly search for, share and access shared data in an easy, secure way. 

The aim is to change the way energy data is shared with a solution developed by the sector for the sector. 

This half-hour event will showcase what to expect from Open Energy, set out its potential value for users, and share an early preview of the platform. The team will answer questions from the audience, and share information on how to join this ambitious project and register your interest as a potential Beta user. 

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