Comment by Leslie Addo, Product Sales Lead at Energy Systems Catapult.

As the leaves fall and the evenings grow darker, many sustainability leads are facing challenges beyond just a chill in the air. They’re dealing with incomplete data, limited resources, and the mounting pressure to meet Net Zero targets. But before you feel overwhelmed by inefficiencies, there’s a solution to help banish those obstacles: Net Zero Data.

Drawing on over 30 years of expertise in data modelling, spatial analysis, and local area energy planning, Net Zero Data isn’t just another resource in the vast world of data – it’s a powerful tool that brings clarity and focus to local energy project planning, designed and developed by people who understand the need for reliable, easy-to-use data to make informed decisions quickly. Ready to tackle your energy challenges with confidence? Let’s explore how Net Zero Data can guide you through the complexities of energy management this spooky season.

Struggling with energy data?

For many local authorities, the road to Net Zero can feel like navigating a maze. You know there’s a clear path and what low carbon technology you need in your area, but unreliable or missing data can make progress slow and uncertain – resulting in delays to choosing the right deployment locations. You need to understand the demand from local people, and the capacity of supply from local networks.

Up until now, data options have not made progress move much quicker or feel more certain. Some data solutions lack completeness and regular updates, providing questionable levels of reliability. Stretched resources only add to the complexity, making it feel like a constant uphill battle.

As the creators of Local Area Energy Planning, we hear about the challenges from local authorities regularly. Here are a few of the persistent issues sustainability leads raise with us:

• Data availability: Accessing reliable data can feel like searching for something elusive.
• Data completeness and accuracy: Making decisions with incomplete or outdated information is like trying to solve a puzzle in a dark room.
• Data cost: Commissioning custom datasets can be prohibitively expensive and don’t always represent value for money.
• Internal resources: Managing complex data with limited personnel can stretch teams beyond their capacity.
• Integration complexity: Bringing together fragmented datasets often becomes a complicated, time-consuming task, and expensive.

These obstacles aren’t just inconvenient – they can stall progress, leaving your Net Zero projects stuck in limbo. That’s where Energy Systems Catapult steps in, offering a powerful solution to simplify and accelerate your journey.

Trick or treat

At the Catapult, we only offer treats when you knock on our door. Net Zero Data is a comprehensive, ready-to-use series of datasets and bundles that provide local authorities, consultancies and renewable developers with the information they need to make smarter, faster decisions. Covering every corner of Great Britain, it’s available at both local authority and postcode sector levels, offering regularly updated insights that go well beyond what open data alone can provide.

Why is this important? Because Net Zero Data is designed to streamline energy project planning. Whether you’re assessing solar PV potential, identifying locations for heat pumps, planning for EV charge points, or applying for funding (such as PSDS), this data gives you the insights needed to make informed decisions – without the long delays of sourcing and processing custom data.

With automatic updates from trusted sources of open and commercial data like Ordnance Survey, you’ll always have access to the most accurate and current data. This means no more second-guessing your decisions or worrying about outdated information.

Don’t be spooked

Net Zero Data acts as a guiding light, illuminating the path forward for your energy initiatives. Here’s how it can support your Net Zero projects:

• Identify existing energy assets: Gain a clear picture of current infrastructure and pinpoint new opportunities for development.
• Assess suitability for low carbon technologies: From rooftop solar to heat pumps, easily identify the best areas for deploying renewable technologies.
• Identify optimal locations for large-scale renewables: From wind to ground mounted solar, easily find the best locations to support regional energy needs or private wire opportunities.
• Plan for EV infrastructure: With the rise of electric vehicles, planning for charging points is essential. Net Zero Data helps you evaluate off-street parking potential and future demand.

Exorcise inefficiencies

As you prepare to face the spooky season – pumpkin spiced latte in hand – don’t let the uncertainties of energy planning send chills down your spine. With Net Zero Data as your trusty guide, you can banish the spectres of inefficiency and transform your approach to sustainability.

Imagine stepping out of the shadows and into a world where data empowers your decisions, leading you directly to the heart of your Net Zero goals. This Halloween, instead of being haunted by missed opportunities and data nightmares, take control and send Casper packing.

So, start the Mystery Machine, dust off those cobwebs, and let Net Zero Data help you. After all, the only thing scarier than things that go bump in the night is letting your energy challenges go unaddressed. With the right tools and insights, you can exorcise those energy demons and embrace a future filled with promise and potential.