Ofgem has appointed the British Standards Institution (BSI) to lead new governance for standards in the digitalisation of the energy system and support the net zero transition.
All network companies are required by the energy regulator to adopt the Common Information Model (CIM) for their long term development statement (LTDS) to improve the consistency, accessibility and usability of network data.
The CIM consists of international standards providing information on data exchange protocols, with the standards defining how different assets in the energy sector, from substations to inverters on wind turbines, are operated and how information is exchanged between energy stakeholders on these assets.
Millions of new distributed energy resources like solar, electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries must be introduced into the energy system to reach net zero goals – therefore, digitalising the sector is essential for decarbonisation to effectively integrate, use and manage new sources of renewables in the grid.
The CIM standardises how these assets capture and share information, simplifying data exchanges, supporting faster and better-informed grid connection decisions and facilitating co-ordinated system planning.
An Ofgem spokesperson said: “As a major supporter of innovation, at Ofgem we know that digitalisation of the energy system has huge potential to benefit consumers but it must be done in a way which standardises and secures critical data. The streamlined use of the CIM helps move us to a digitalised energy system that will deliver better outcomes for consumers.
“We’re pleased to see BSI take up this role, given its existing independent role in energy data standards and the transparency it provides across all standards activity.”
Governance of the energy system digitalisation and energy data was previously recommended by the government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce to manage issues and changes to the common data framework.
Seb van Dort, Director of Sustainability and Energy at BSI added: “Digitalisation of the energy sector is the key to decarbonising, modernising and driving transformative changes to energy grids and is necessary for the UK to hit net zero. Underlying all of this is the transparency and consistency of the data of grid and network operators, without this, we cannot turn ambition into action. Enhancing consistency in data offers the opportunity to overcome a key barrier for policy makers, industry and Ofgem.
“We are pleased to be playing our role in digitalising the energy sector, building on the pioneering work of initiatives such as the Energy Digitalisation Taskforce and ultimately accelerating progress towards a net zero future.”
Ofgem appoints BSI to govern standards for energy system digitalisation appeared first on Energy Live News.