New energy data sharing systems to be developed
19 Jun 2014 02:54 PM
New systems are being
developed to make it easier and quicker to switch energy
providers.
New systems are being developed
to make it easier and quicker to switch energy providers.
The systems will allow energy
consumption data and costs to be automatically transferred between suppliers
and switching companies (with the consent of customers), making it much easier
for people to get and compare quotes from energy suppliers and get the best
deal possible.
This will make it faster for
people to switch energy suppliers. It will also give people information about
how and when they use energy, and help them to identify ways to reduce
consumption and the cost of bills.
The energy sector has led the
way on data sharing and significant voluntary progress has been made -
customers of the largest suppliers can already download their data
electronically.
Automated access to these data
files by customers or third parties with consumers’ permission, is the
next logical step. It will be an important stepping stone to more engagement
for consumers through smart meters, which will give them direct access to their
consumption data which they can then share directly with trusted third
parties.
The development of these new
systems was discussed the Midata meeting last week, where the Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, and BIS Minister, Jenny Willott,
met with energy suppliers and switching companies, as well as Ofgem, consumer
groups and app developers.
An implementation group has been
set-up to move forward the development of these systems as quickly as possible.
The group will report back to ministers on its progress by
September.
Further detail on the Midata
project
All parties agreed to take
forward the Midata project by focusing on:
-
The importance of providing
consumers and trusted third parties (with consumers’ permission) with
secure automated access to the correct data from their energy suppliers,
allowing them to make more informed choices including switching, energy
efficiency, access to Government support and identifying ways to cut their
bills;
-
Taking forward this project
through an implementation group which will identify barriers, develop options
and solutions, and;
-
Making tangible progress on an
implementation timetable to be reported back at a second roundtable in
September.
Last Wednesday’s agreement
on the collective desire to make progress with automated access is an important
milestone for consumer empowerment and shows the benefits of collaborative
working by all stakeholders in the energy sector.
The organisations present at the
Midata meeting included:
- British Gas
- Citizens
Advice
- Connected
Digital
- Cornwall
Energy
- EdF Energy
- Economy
Catapult
- Energy UK
- EON
- First Utility
- Money Saving
Expert
- Mydex
- nPower
- Ofgem
- RWE
- Scottish Power
- Scottish and Southern
Energy
- Simplify
Digital
- Uswitch
- Which?