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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
Powering up data-driven decarbonisation and flexibility
15/1/2025
10 min read
Feature
A recent energy policy debate at the Energy Institute focused on data-driven decarbonisation in the move towards smarter energy management. The vibrant discussion addressed how new digital technologies are affecting decision making, in the move from centralised power generation towards a smarter, but more complex, two-way supply and demand system. The opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI) and new software for improving data sharing and flexibility were also examined. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis reports.
The authoritative panel was chaired by Sara Vaughan FEI of Elexon (administrators of the UK electricity grid balancing system), and featured Rebecca Rosling, Head of UK R&D, Future Energy Systems at electricity utility EDF UK; Cathy McClay, Managing Director, National Grid DSO; Gavin Starks, Founder and CEO of data sharing non-profit Icebreaker One, and Jo-Jo Hubbard, Co-founder and CEO of flexibility trading market supplier Electron.
A key theme was the importance of data and collaboration in a rapidly evolving UK energy system. ‘Data is more valuable when it is shared, not hoarded,’ said Vaughan. ‘Especially with the move away from large power stations sending electrons in one direction to suppliers who supply consumers, to a more complicated world of two-way traffic of supply and demand with balance through flexibility and demand reduction at the distribution level.’
There was a proposition that the (energy) trilemma – relating to energy security, affordability and sustainability – would no longer have as much impact because renewables are much cheaper. However, some disagreed, with Vaughan saying the prevailing view was: ‘The trilemma is still a valid framework. Notwithstanding that renewables are falling in price massively, and there is still a need to take into account everything else that sits around the system.’