In this final article of our series with the Energy Geeks and Utility Week, we focus on the delivery challenges behind Clean Power 2030 and Net Zero targets. As energy systems become more digital, decentralised and interconnected, success will depend on managing complexity, resilience and risk across the system.

Comment from Rich Hampshire, Vice President, Digital Utilities, CGI

Having taken deep dives into governance, data, alongside risks & opportunities, in this final article in this series the Geeks turn their attention to making it happen. The imperative to achieve clean power by 2030, in NESO’s 2024 advice to government, requires “several elements to deliver at the limit of what is feasible.”

In a system where investment in assets covers decades, yet system stability is maintained in a sub-second timeframe, successful delivery is a truly whole-system challenge.

Access to data is fundamental for the actionable insights required.  That means that the energy system must be digital by design, which presents commercial, governance and cultural challenges as well as the technical challenge!

The foundations of successful delivery

The Geeks identify five delivery imperatives – architectural coherence, deliberate integration, institutional stewardship, commercial boundaries and structured learning. Elements of these themes can be seen in the evolution from the energy data and digitalisation taskforces’ recommendations to the recent Energy Digitalisation Framework.

Looking beyond 2030

It is vital that the architectural design supports interoperability and enables the continual integration of new technologies as they emerge, without the need for costly system overhauls.  Playing to the Geeks’ proposed Highway Code for energy, 2030 is not the destination, it is a mile marker on the journey to 2050 and beyond.

Governance is key to cultural change and market transformation

The Geeks call for digital governance to be embedded within formal institutional structures to ensure it becomes an intrinsic part of the system.  Digitalisation must be considered as a deeper, more fundamental systemic transformation that is not simply physical, but also behavioural and cultural.

The Geeks challenge us to consider where the boundary should lie between digital infrastructure that is delivered as a public good and well-functioning markets, where participants are able to bring forward innovative new services that provide consumers with meaningful choices about how they satisfy their energy needs.

Open collaboration will power innovation

The Geeks’ final insight is the importance of embedding a culture of non-punitive learning to reduce the risks associated with delivering Britain’s clean power transition at pace.  It’s a non-trivial challenge to create a culture where we’re all able to collaborate and openly share learning as a springboard to continually improve, but the sector has had a head start in developing this type of culture through the various iterations of network innovation funding over the last 16 years.

Time for action

The Energy Digitalisation Framework and Sector Digitalisation Plan provide elements of the route-map to delivering a clean, digitalised energy system.  The Geeks challenge us to translate this into operational ownership, disciplined design choices and delivery momentum. We can’t afford to wait for certainty. It’s time to get going with an initial architecture, learn from practical experience and iterate with transparency.

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About the programme

CGI and Utility Week, in collaboration with the Energy Geeks, examine how digitalisation can help deliver a smarter, cleaner and more flexible energy system. Learn more