Data institution mooted to manage smart meter information

A dedicated data institution should be set up to manage and distribute information derived from smart meters, according to the government-funded Energy Systems Catapult and the Data Communications Company (DCC).

The two organisations claim that a dedicated entity should be set up to oversee the “governance of, access to and use of smart meter data for public good”.

They claim this will “help to resolve the complex interaction between smart meter regulations and data legislation obligations”.

The formation of a data institution is one of four recommendations made within a joint report titled Data for Good, Smart Meter Data Access.

The other recommendations include:

• Unlocking smart meter system data to support fuel poor households
• Maximising access to smart meter data through existing mechanisms
• Maximising data access while minimising risk

On the data institution, the report states that its purpose would be “to steward data on behalf of others”.

It adds: “Given public sensitivity about consumer data being held and used by the energy sector, it should be acknowledged that the challenge for data access is as much about organisational and political issues as the technical changes needed to policy and regulation.

“Any future access regime for smart meter data will need to reset the complex interaction and interpretation of smart meter regulation, data legislation obligations, governance and engagement undertaken by multiple different organisations.

“The establishment of a data institution would be an effective mechanism to enable industry-wide collaboration, establish a focal point for smart meter data governance and raise trust among consumers that their data is being used in a responsible and transparent way which maximises benefits to them as individuals, but also to society more broadly.

“We believe an institution for managing access to smart meter data would need a broad outlook and governance designed to capitalise on expertise and input from a broad array of perspectives including consumer interests, local government, health, and other markets such as utilities and finance.”

Guy Newey, chief executive at Energy Systems Catapult, added: “If we want to unleash the innovation we need from the digitalisation of energy, we need to make it easier to access smart meter data in a safe and responsible way.

“This is a vast national asset, which can help innovators identify opportunities to create new products and services to improve the efficiency of the system, cut fuel poverty, and drive down emissions.

“The UK government, industry, and Ofgem must work together to accelerate changes to the regulatory framework to create a fit for purpose, data access regime, which could help cement the UK’s position as a global leader in digital energy innovation.”

The report also argues that “urgent action is required to provide access to data that can help deliver interventions to support [fuel poor] households effectively”.

Energy Systems Catapult claims that accelerating the pace of access to smart meter data from Great Britain’s installed smart meters could enable cost savings for consumers, enabling a just energy transition.

“Access to smart meter data is a critical enabler of a just transition, consumer control and system stability. Smart meter data will help promote energy efficiency, empower consumers, and support new solutions for the energy transition”, said Laura Sandys, non-executive director at Energy Systems Catapult.

According to the latest government figures at the end of June 2023, there were over 33 million smart and advanced meters in Great Britain in homes and small businesses.

Concerns about the feasibility of completing the rollout of smart meters to all UK households is mounting, with the country’s biggest supplier now calling for the technology to be made obligatory.

British Gas owner Centrica is the latest firm to throw its weight behind mandatory smart meters. It follows calls from Utility Warehouse chief executive Stuart Burnett, who recently told Utility Week that a mandate is needed on smart meters for the UK to achieve its net zero goals.