Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry has launched a new taskforce charged with unlocking the value of energy data to drive innovation and lower bills for consumers.
The Energy Data Taskforce will be run by the Energy Systems Catapult and chaired by former MP and chief executive of Challenging Ideas, Laura Sandys.
Perry said: “In an age where data is transforming every area of our lives, from driving to dating, it’s only appropriate that we take a long hard look at what data means for energy customers, and how it can be used more effectively to lower energy bills.”
The body has been created by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Ofgem and Innovate UK to provide advice to the government, the regulator and industry.
The taskforce will seek to streamline data flows to optimise the operation of the energy system – improving the handling of real-time information and enhancing forecasting capabilities to enable the integration of technologies such as demand-side response, electric vehicles and energy storage.
It will also look to increase access for industry players to boost competition in existing markets and facilitate the creation of new ones.
Energy Data Taskforce chair Laura Sandys said: “Data will become increasingly central to managing the new decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised energy system.
“Opening up system data provides a real opportunity for UK innovators and incumbents alike to improve services for consumers as we have seen in other sectors. This means better data transparency and access, whilst ensuring appropriate security and data protection measures.
“Currently system data sits in silos, often hidden and incomplete. The taskforce will recommend the key steps that industry and regulation can take to ensure that data is effectively employed for the benefit of consumers and to improve UK productivity.
“We aim to shape a new set of openness principles, propose new data sharing methodologies, identify data gaps, propose appropriate governance and advise on how to manage the risks associated with data.”
The taskforce will make its recommendations within six months but will also consult with the industry on interim proposals in the meantime.