Businesses like EV charge point operators and housing developers will be given wider access to authorised network data under new guidance published by Energy Networks Association (ENA).
The move aims to speed up innovation and supporting the transition to a smarter energy system, it said. The Network Shared Licensing Agreement enables trusted third parties to access and use authorised data, like network capacity information and detailed asset maps, under conditional terms – making it easier, quicker and providing a more standardised service for participants to access.
It will allow networks and partner agencies to develop a more efficient energy system, therefore reducing the cost of running the network with savings passed on to bill payers.
It builds on the existing Network Open Licensing Agreement, which sets out how energy networks share non-sensitive data.
The new framework represents a step forward in digitalising the energy sector, allowing innovators to develop and scale new energy products and services without legal delays or inconsistent processes, whilst keeping the data secure – therefore supporting the net zero transition.
To reflect the evolving digitalisation landscape, ENA members have also refreshed the Data Triage Playbook, which sets out the standardised network approach to data sharing. This collective strategy ensures faster access to valuable data, like where the network is busiest, to ensure consistent decision making.
The agreement between electricity and gas companies sets out the terms for securely sharing data, ensuring compliance with regulations, improving network coordination, enhancing efficiency, and supporting the transition to a smarter, low-carbon energy system. The Playbook is one example of the work coordinated by ENA’s Data and Digitalisation programme to support the evolving digitalisation landscape.
Abbas Mahmood, Head of Data and Digitalisation at ENA, said:
“The traditional energy system is undergoing a major transition to a decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised grid. The Network Shared Licensing Agreement is just one step towards a smarter digital energy system, which will ultimately ensure consistent access to information for customers and stakeholders, and improved efficiency and greater transparency around discussions that affect customers.”
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