Energy Systems Catapult led both the Energy Data Taskforce (EDTF) and subsequent Energy Digitalisation Taskforce (EDiT), both commissioned by the UK Government, Ofgem and Innovate UK to develop an integrated data and digital strategy to helps unlock the opportunities of a modern, decarbonised and decentralised energy system for the benefit of consumers.

Described as “game-changing” by the ENA, the taskforces engage with hundreds of organisations and kick-started over 50 digital and data projects within two years of beginning.

This included Energy Systems Catapult working with National Grid (formerly WPD) to help the network operator to improve internal data processes and release more data – resulting in the launch of their Connected Data Portal which now hosts almost 100 open datasets about National Grid’s network infrastructure and operations, including a number of live data sources.

To increase engagement with the newly published data, the Catapult helped to identify some key challenges that could be solved with data and engaged the innovator community through data challenge competitions.

Outcomes of the Presumed Open Data challenge included:

• 365 Registrations for the kick-off event with individuals come from 72 different organisations/institutions, 15 different countries and 30 universities
• 55 teams –  a total of 142 individuals – participated in a least one round
• By the 5th round of tasks, 37 teams survived and and of those 65% outscored the benchmark with the Top 5 teams participating in a special “Value in Energy Data Seminar”
• A number participants publishing their work in peer reviewed academic journals and highlighting our data challenge approach as a useful way to link academic talent with industry need.

Equiwatt incentivises consumers to save energy at peak times through an app-based rewards scheme, by using smart meter data to monitor household energy use and automatically turn-off appliances to reduce demand during peak times.

The Newcastle-based innovator needed help preparing for an investment round and to scale up their customer base.

Energy Systems Catapult through our Energy Launchpad carried out a Digital Energy Fitness Assessment, along with reviews of their Business Model, their Policy and Regulatory landscape, Consumer Insight and support with investor readiness.

Equiwatt found the inclusion of an independent Digital Energy Fitness Assessment was a crucial factor in helping secure over £300,000 in investment to progress scale up plans through a funding round involving the North East Venture Fund.

Amp X are developing an autonomous, digital energy assistant ‘ALICE’ with a trial in the Living Lab. The ALICE platform aims to help UK households reduce their energy costs and carbon intensity through autonomous demand-side-response decisions based on real-world market signals.

ALICE will schedule energy usage by household devices’ when the energy is greenest and cheapest, with the aim that households could benefit by providing flexibility to local networks to improve grid resilience and maximise renewable energy usage.

The trial sees the ALICE energy assistant installed in 60 Living Lab homes with support from:

• Consumer Insight – specialists to help Amp X understand household experiences, test the benefits and to understand the customer value proposition
• Data Science – expertise to test the interface between the ALICE and a variety of in-home devices, including: Electric Vehicles chargers, smart meters, Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning controls, and general appliances.