Modernising access to smart energy data: apply for contracts

17 Oct 2019 10:21 AM

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £1.9 million to design and build systems that will modernise the use of data in the energy sector.

The electricity system of the UK is changing rapidly. More than 50% of electricity is now generated by low carbon sources such as nuclear and wind. Many homes and businesses can generate electricity, particularly from solar panels.

Smart time-of-use tariffs are giving consumers greater control of their energy bills, and the growing use of electric vehicles is placing new demands on the grid.

Effective use of data and better communication is essential to the working of this modern electricity grid.

An analysis by the Carbon Trust estimates that a smart and flexible system could save the UK £40 billion by 2050. It will also help the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets.

However, a lack of common data standards and sharing of data are a barrier to competition and innovation.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, has up to £1.9 million to invest in the development of products and services that will modernise data services in the energy sector.

Projects must exploit state-of-the-art data science

Projects should use state-of-the-art data science and are encouraged to design and build ways in which a user can search and access relevant data such as by location, asset type and other characteristics.

They must:

• be flexible and easy to use
• enable digital information exchange across the energy industry
• demonstrate transparency and efficiency
• encourage innovation through ease of access to data
• involve interested private sector organisations
• show that data based on different standards can be made to work together
• create opportunities for commercial exploitation
• show regard to data security

The competition is being run in 3 phases.

Up to £480,000 is available in phase 1 to fund up to 3 contracts for short feasibility studies.

Successful projects will be able to apply for further contracts in the later stages.

Competition information

• the competition is open and the deadline for registration is at midday on 2 January 2020
• organisations of any size can apply
• phase 1 contracts are expected to last 6 weeks and be worth between £100,000 and £160,000