Evidence provided as a result of the study, will inform regulation and innovation development in relation to potential future energy digitalisation requirements in the UK, in addition to contributing to policy development.
Dr Richard Dobson, Head of Digital and Data, Energy Systems Catapult, said: “The UK needs to radically rethink how it invests in, and manages, its energy system to better deliver for consumers, contribute to net zero, and to safeguard our energy supplies. With thousands of low carbon technologies expected to connect to the grid in the coming months and years ahead, complacency is not an option.
“The Digital Spine feasibility study will help to unlock the clean growth opportunities of a smart, flexible energy system. Innovative thinking and design will be crucial to revolutionising our approach to energy management. This is a genuinely exciting time for the energy industry, so, alongside our partners at Arup and the University of Bath, we’re delighted to be taking the first steps towards the digitisation of our energy system”.
Professor Furong Li, Director of the Centre of Sustainable Power Distribution at the University of Bath, said: “We are excited to be part of this team and to bring our transdisciplinary expertise and research capability to the project. Critically, the Digital Spine project gives us the opportunity to engage and inspire current and prospective students and researchers with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills, up-skilling our future work force for the Net Zero mission and making affordable and secure home-grown energy a reality”.
Simon Evans, Global Digital Energy Leader at Arup, said: “The digital spine is a central and underpinning concept for the digitalisation of the energy system. The ability to exchange data will be a fundamental feature of a digitalised energy system with new software, systems, and platforms emerging as smart technologies make use of low carbon energy”.