Smarter Things: Effective Smart Meter Data Management

As energy has become smarter, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and energy suppliers have become more reliant on data.

Whether predicting expected demand on any given network at any given time or understanding their customers better, DNOs and suppliers can use data to provide more personalized services to customers. But how easy is it to harness the potential of data?

The problem faced by DNOs and suppliers is that required data is usually stored in disparate locations across different brands of smart meters, due to the complex way such data is collected. Some of these are easier to communicate with than others. This means extraction—let alone use—becomes extremely difficult. That’s not to mention the regulatory hurdles of accessing smart meter users’ data.

What can DNOs and suppliers do to overcome these data management hurdles?

For DNOs, sufficiently granular data is key to ensuring suppliers can satisfy users’ energy demands. Yet this raises two issues: the accuracy of the data and the means by which it is acquired.

Granularity is key to the usefulness of energy data and the accuracy of usage predictions. The more in-depth the data, the better. While data provided in daily chunks to DNOs does offer some information on customers’ energy habits, it does not give them a clear picture of when energy is being used. Granular data is essential in enabling DNOs to meet demand across the network, particularly as households become equipped to perform more demand-intensive activities such as EV charging.

For energy suppliers, the need for detailed data is just as pressing. Granular data facilitates the creation of bespoke customer tariffs based on individual energy needs. But to acquire this data, energy suppliers need access to Data Communications Company (DCC) systems through channels compliant with the Great British Companion Specification (GBCS), the DCC User Interface Specification (DUIS), alongside Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS). Effective data is even more important for newer entrants to the supplier market who promise customers transparency when it comes to their energy usage.

Despite DNOs and suppliers having theoretical access to energy consumption data, that doesn’t mean they have access to all the data they would like. Strict regulations govern data access in the UK energy industry. Until recently, Ofgem only permitted supplier access to daily and monthly data without user consent. To acquire more granular data, suppliers had to obtain the customer’s explicit consent.

However, things have changed regarding suppliers’ rights to access customer data. Ofgem recently approved access to half-hourly data segments on an opt-out basis over the next four years. This has introduced new data compliance concerns, from whether customers have the right to opt out of data collection to how much data supplier staff are permitted to access.

DNOs and energy suppliers may not have the skills and expertise to extract and manage data effectively in-house. From accessing the DCC network to extracting data in a meaningful format and making the best use of it, DNOs and suppliers may need assistance from a third party to gain the best insights into their customers’ energy use.

As electricity usage increases due to demand-intensive activities in the home, the scalability of data handling solutions becomes even more important. Any solution used by a DNO or supplier must be capable of handling large volumes of data generated simultaneously across networks and customer bases.

Critical Software offers a solution to the obstacles DNOs and suppliers face when extracting valuable insights from data. We are working with the n3rgy platform to provide a scalable, dynamic product for DNOs and suppliers, including a sandbox where data collection activities can be tested; tools for managing customer consent regarding data; and an open commodity pricing model.

Acquiring data is one task, but making the best use of it is arguably more challenging. Customers benefit from access to accurate breakdowns of energy usage, while DNOs and suppliers benefit from a simple API request format that enables hassle-free data access.

DNOs gain a clearer understanding of when usage peaks, allowing them to better match distribution to demand. Suppliers can use data to develop flexible tariffs that save customers money and reduce energy waste, benefiting the environment. However, both will likely require support to fully leverage their data.