In this launch piece as part of our sector programme with Utility Week and the Energy Geeks, we collectively examine the blockers to progress and the need for a framework to catalyse progress to achieve Clean Power 2030 objectives.
Comment from Rich Hampshire, Vice President, Digital Utilities, CGI
To paraphrase former President Barack Obama, when talking about climate change in his final address: “We can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem. But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving.”
Throughout the article, the Energy Geeks use their collective experience to draw attention to key issues faced in accelerating the clean energy transition. They challenge us not to accept the current approaches but find better ways of achieving the goal.
The Energy Geeks’ “Manifesto for a Digital Future” shines a spotlight on several vital areas:
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Coordination across digitalisation initiatives
Firstly, how can we be confident that the plethora of digitalisation initiatives are properly coordinated? Are we minimising duplication of effort? And, arguably more importantly, how are we identifying any gaps or conflicts in approach?
The expectations of digitalisation are enormous and time is short. Assumptions about the scope of each initiative and inter-dependencies on each other are unclear. To deliver at the pace necessary, the need for clarity and coordination seems essential.
On 4 November, Ofgem published its thoughts on architectural oversight of digitalisation, which was welcomed across the sector. Digitalisation is foundational to a wider systemic transition. The Geeks go beyond the scope of Ofgem’s paper. They identify the importance of clarity about system actors’ roles and responsibilities. I would add to that the need for those with accountability to be granted the necessary authority to deliver.
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Defining completion of the smart meter programme and its role in system visibility
Secondly, identifying what constitutes completion of the smart meter programme. The availability of smart meter data provides essential visibility (whether to deliver compelling new energy propositions to consumers, to operate the energy system more efficiently, or to plan where and when to invest in our energy infrastructure).
With over 70% of homes already benefiting from having a smart meter installed, the question is how do we prioritise the remaining deployments? In a previous collaboration between Utility Week and CGI, there were differing views on what the approach to completion should look like.
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Ensuring taskforce recommendations are fully realised
Thirdly, we must revisit the recommendations of the Energy Data and Digitalisation Taskforces to ensure that the recommendations are being taken forwards as intended. Whilst many people will conflate the Data Sharing Infrastructure with EDiT’s recommendation for a Digital Spine, we need to ensure that the full scope of the Digital Spine is covered within the portfolio of digitalisation initiatives.
This Manifesto also highlights the importance of other vital considerations including cyber security, skills and the need for a “Highway Code” equivalent for energy data that sets out what we should reasonably expect of each other.
Through this initiative, we should agree on the challenges and establish a discourse to find better ways of accelerating progress.
