The DNO Forecasting Forum is collaborative space for UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to share practical insights, methods and materials on short‑term energy forecasting.

Supported by the AI team at Energy Systems Catapult, in collaboration with Professor Jethro Browell (University of Glasgow), the forum is open to all UK DNOs.

Our focus is on practical know-how covering topics such as use cases, data sources, forecasting methods, evaluation and operationalisation.

The challenge

Historically, short-term energy forecasting has focused on transmission system operations, but the energy landscape is evolving. The growth of low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles, alongside increasingly distributed and variable renewable generation, is transforming the way networks operate.

• DNOs now face a growing need to understand and anticipate demand and generation patterns at a local level. Strengthening short-term forecasting capabilities is essential to support effective system operation, and to enable applications such as flexibility dispatch and curtailment.
• DNOs are developing their own forecasting tools and approaches but many of the underlying challenges, such as data availability, model evaluation, integration with operational systems and workforce capability, are shared across the industry.

Our approach

The forum provides a collaborative space for open discussion and peer learning, reducing duplication of effort and accelerating progress.

By bringing together technical practitioners, researchers, and industry experts, the group helps build a common understanding of good practice and supports the development of more robust, data-driven forecasting capabilities across the UK distribution network sector.

The solution

The forum aims to:

• Improve forecasting quality, comparability and transparency.
• Share good practice to avoid duplication.
• Reduce costs of forecast development through collaboration.
• Enable better forecasting across the system to deliver flexibility and efficient network operation.

Impact

The forum is:

• Hosting regular sessions with member updates, focused deep‑dives, and presentations.
• Sharing guidance notes, templates, evaluation methods and reference datasets (where permissible).
• Inviting guest speakers with unique tools, applications, or data needing DNO input.

Guest speakers

We are always interested in guest speakers to join a session of the forum to share items relevant to short-term energy forecasting at the distribution level. Past sessions have included:

• Open-source short-term energy forecasting, including a talk from LF Energy demonstrating the OpenSTEF package.
• NESO stakeholder feedback into their forecasting strategy.
• Lessons from international implementations.
• Academic demonstrations and knowledge sharing.
• Showcases of new approaches and tools.

To get involved, please contact us, letting us know the proposed topic of your session. Note that requests to do a sales pitch or demo of a commercial product will not be approved.

Contact: stephen.haben@es.catapult.org.uk