UK Power Networks has taken the first step and published 40,000 pieces of smart meter data and will release around five million more by the end of the year.
Its Open Data Portal is now making the information available to any organisation or person who wants to use the anonymised data to create innovative energy-saving services for consumers.
This data has been long awaited by many people. The first tranche has information from 40,000 smart meters from the street level cables. Over the three UK Power Networks regions in the East, London and South East there are currently up to five million smart meters and the data for those will also be published.
Following Ofgem’s Data Best Practice consultation and decision in 2023, UK Power Networks collaborated with other network operators through the Energy Network Association to develop an interoperable format for the data. This will enable third parties to develop services for consumers with a consistent data format from any of the operators, to be used in their service provision.
Use of smart meter data is already helping with the creation of innovative energy data-based services for consumers with recommendations on how to save energy. Smart meter apps are already available to consumers to help them track their energy consumption, help reduce energy waste and to understand their appliance running costs.
Saleem Naeem, from the smart metering team at UK Power Networks, said: “Smart meter data is one of the cornerstones for the realisation of a future smart low voltage electricity distribution network that can contribute to the Governments’ Net Zero objectives.
“Publication of our smart meter data will enable the creation of further consumer services to be developed by existing and new entrants into this area. This will really help with the invention of new products to help homes and businesses during the cost-of-living crisis. They can see when there is demand and the voltage which will really help.”
Consumers do not have to worry as the data is completely anonymous and is not connected with individual meters, just the street
The smart meter data can also be used by distribution networks and distribution system operators to develop local area energy plans, informing policy, and provide more visibility on what is happening on the low voltage networks. This will then enable the optimisation of network configurations for improved network capacity availability and a future demand side flexibility capability, including making informed decisions where network reinforcement is needed.
Experts in the company’s smart metering team and the data management team worked together for six months to make the first data release possible.
People can find out more about UK Power Networks Smart Meter Data
Smart Meter Landing Page — UK Power Networks (opendatasoft.com)
Further information please contact Smart Metering Consumption Data Stakeholder Feedback (office.com)
