What happens when you collide the data ambitions of two unrelated sectors?

This article is part of a series exploring the potential for analytics professionals and open data enthusiasts from a variety of sectors to contribute to the open data aspirations of the Energy sector. AxiaOrigin is a data analytics consultancy working with UK Power Networks to facilitate open data discussion and explore the benefits for customers.

The collision of local government and DNO open data offers a fascinating set of aligned needs…

Public services in the UK have recently started taking steps towards more open and collaborative use of interrelated data. We’re looking to explore how the collision of those ambitions in two sectors might help us look beyond immediate data sharing actions for electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) like UK Power Networks.

Given the importance of local authorities in our work, we thought we’d start there. The relationship between a utility company and a local authority can surely go far beyond transactions related to planned and urgent work.

And to better understand this, we are actively seeking the input of those outside of our organisations. Within this article, we will invite thoughts from our energy and local government colleagues to begin to understand some of intuition you have. What insights can we develop and share to unlock benefits for all?

A no-brainer-starting-point?

There’s an open data website for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. When you land on it you are prompted to look at several featured datasets. At the time of writing they are 1) Index of Multiple Deprivation (2019), 2) Housebuilding completions and 3) Planning decisions (2014-17). All three obviously relate to operations in DNOs!

Surely, there must be something wonderful to explore by colliding energy open data with local government open data?

No brainer collaborators?

UK Power Networks does lots of work with local authorities. Beyond this, they collaborate on key topics such as electric vehicles. We would like to explore how UK Power Networks’ open data ambitions align with local authorities' needs, but rather than broadening out with a range of potential topics, we'd like to go narrow with one topic in particular: heat.

UK Power Networks published its heat strategy in March 2020, presenting enablers for low carbon transition through decarbonisation of the heat sector. Respondents to the accompanying consultation included a large proportion from local authorities. 75% of stakeholders encouraged a focus on coordination with local authorities and a low carbon heating pathway. UK Power Networks also heard the need to make sure there is understanding of local and regional variation in performance and outcomes.

Finding the overlap to work out the open data use case

So…something tangible. We would like to explore how UK Power Networks’ open data can support decarbonisation plans local authorities have already developed.

For example, the DNO has just launched its ‘Heat Street’ project which focuses on local system planning.  It will take a data-driven look into the future to help local authorities forecast and plan the increased adoption of energy efficiency and low carbon heating solutions.

Secondly, how could DNO open data work with local approaches to decarbonising heat? For example, in the retrofitting of housing stock local authorities provide; in better understanding opportunities for new low carbon housing developments; in developing greater efficiencies in existing or planned district heating systems.

For data and analytics professionals in local authorities and other DNOs, what questions could we help you explore if you had access to UK Power Networks’ data about…

• The network assets network operators have.
• Where those network assets are located.
• Who’s responsible for those assets.
• The capacity of those network assets.
• The level of utilisation and available capacity of those network assets.
• The level of performance and reliability of those network assets.
• Planned development on the network, what that will deliver and when.

For councils within UK Power Networks’ areas, could there be a specific housing portfolio (approx. >10,000 <50,000 properties) that UK Power Networks could quantify using open data and develop the case for a new joint project or programme?

We want your help

Above are just some of the questions we would love to explore with analysts and data experts within local government. We would wholeheartedly welcome your reflections to co-develop our understanding on these shared topics. 

We would welcome your thoughts on whether this thinking is directionally helpful - might there be something hidden to us but barn-door obvious to you that we have missed? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below or by emailing opendata@ukpowernetworks.co.uk.