We shift focus to the role of data in delivering the energy transition at pace, the importance of local context when applying a market approach, and how digitalisation can ultimately benefit consumers.

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

In my comment from the first article in this series by the Energy Geeks, I quoted former President Barack Obama when he said, “We can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem” and shared our objective to establish a consensus on the challenges and create a constructive discourse to find better ways of accelerating progress.   

In this response, I’ll provide a different perspective to that of the Geeks with the aim of stimulating discourse on the issues they raise.

With the publication of the much-anticipated Energy Digitalisation Framework, the Geeks’ thinking is timely; but it’s worth remembering that their article was written before the publication of that vision. 

Data and the role of smart meters in successful energy transition

The Framework’s first line encapsulates the importance of data to a successful energy transition: “Digitalisation is about improving data use to efficiently manage an increasingly complex, and decentralised energy system.” 

The Geeks position data as the “lifeblood of a digital energy system”, and there can be no doubt about the need for the right data at the right time to deliver actionable insights to decision takers.  The need to understand what data is required to deliver those insights, whether it exists and, if so, who holds that data and how it can be accessed are challenges being addressed through various sector digitalisation initiatives.

The importance of smart meters to a transitioned energy system, where consumers are empowered by the opportunity to participate in flexibility markets, should not be in doubt. The Geeks’ recommendations on how to complete the smart meter rollout will no doubt stimulate a debate. 

Context matters in market transformation

Having recently had the privilege of facilitating a knowledge sharing event between market facilitators from across Europe, one thing stood out; a successful approach in one market must be considered in the context of that market’s policy drivers and architecture if its relevance to another market is to be properly evaluated. 

For instance, Britain’s established competitive metering market meant that the GB smart metering programme started from a very different place to the rest of Europe (and the world!).  Equally, we should consider any changes to the delivery approach from the consumer’s perspective.  Dual fuel installations currently mean that gas smart meters are installed at marginal cost and time, minimising disruption for consumers.

Driving consumer value and access

In its final meeting and report, The Flexibility Forum (established through a Utility Week–CGI collaboration) identified the need for system actors to be able to offer consumers compelling propositions that provide meaningful choices about how they meet their energy needs.  Many of those propositions build on access to smart meter data.

With 70% of homes already using smart meters, the challenge remaining is to complete the rollout by ensuring that consumers who do not yet benefit can access one of the 18,000 meters installed each day.

The Geeks also highlight the value of data generated by the growing number of smart devices connected to the energy system. Ensuring system actors can discover and access this data fairly is key to supporting effective system and market operations.

What can’t be in doubt is that data is vital to successful delivery of the energy transition at pace and in a way that benefits consumers.  How that data is generated, acquired, accessed and analysed requires an on-going constructive, discourse.

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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.

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