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Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams
Three-quarters of UK local authorities have now declared a climate emergency but a snap poll has suggested the majority (60%) have difficulty accessing the data they need to make informed and effective decisions that will support the development of local energy projects that are key to achieving Net Zero.
Energy Systems Catapult understands most local authorities have access to a wide range of data sources such as; GIS data, housing data and energy data, that are needed to enable local energy project development and implementation. However, the level of granularity of the data and the lack of tools and expertise that are needed to analyse the data sets to provide the evidence and demonstrate the benefits these projects can deliver needs addressing.
While working with a number of local authorities to develop Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES), the Catapult has identified the need for both national and local initiatives not only to improve data access and availability but also to build or acquire the skills needed to process that data to inform investment and planning decisions.
Eric Brown, Chief Technology Officer at Energy Systems Catapult said: “Local authorities have a pivotal role to play in achieving Net Zero but they need access to data of sufficient quality and granularity to enable them to act successfully. Smart local energy systems will be an important part of this.
“Not only do they address climate objectives, but they can also deliver economic and social benefits and help build stronger, more resilient communities.
“Data is necessary to support good investment decision making and importantly this data must take both national and local perspectives if expected outcomes are to be delivered.”
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report Enabling Smart Local Energy Systems: The value of digitalisation and data best practice in collaboration with the SLES community. It identifies some key recommendations for local and national government, network companies and energy developers in the drive to Net Zero. These include:
Energy Systems Catapult is using the findings of this report to lead a Digital Working Group aimed at supporting local authorities to access the data they need to meet their net zero ambitions for their areas effectively in line with the recommendations from the Energy Data Taskforce.
A Local Energy Systems Toolkit is being developed to help local authorities overcome challenges in developing Smart, Local Energy Systems including how to access the data they need to make decisions.
VIDEO: Enabling Smart Local Energy Systems: Digital & Data
The Energy Systems Catapult webinar Enabling Smart Local Energy Systems: Digital & Data (see above) with 40 local authority officers revealed that the majority, currently have difficulty accessing the data they need to make informed and effective decisions when developing local energy projects.
Figure 1: Poll of 40 Local Authorities.
We empower and advise Local Authorities, Network Operators, and Central & Devolved Governments to take Net Zero action
Find out moreFind out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams
Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams