Digital spine feasibility study: successful project
Updated 17 March 2023
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The energy system ‘digital spine’ feasibility study was an opportunity to contribute to policy development for the digitalisation of our energy system. A smart, flexible energy system can improve our energy security and help deliver net zero by 2050 at least cost to the consumer. The opportunity was worth up to £204,000 (excluding VAT).
The Energy Digitalisation Taskforce report included a proposal to create a ‘digital spine’ for the energy system to support delivering interoperability across the sector.
BEIS requested applications to produce a study to examine the opportunities, risks and potential architecture of a digital spine.
Digital spine feasibility study: successful project
Participant organisations:
- Arup (Lead applicant)
- Catapult Energy Systems
- University of Bath
Project value: £189,260.08
Project summary
To meet target of net zero by 2050, the UK needs a smart, flexible electricity system underpinned by data and digitalisation. The ability to exchange data will be a fundamental feature of a digitalised energy system with new software, systems, and platforms emerging as smart technologies make use of low carbon energy. The Energy Digitalisation Taskforce report describes a ‘digital spine’ as a ‘thin layer of interaction and interoperability across all players which enables a minimal layer of operation critical data to be ingested, standardised, and shared in near-real time.’
Arup, in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult and the University of Bath, will carry out a 6-month feasibility study to assess the feasibility of a ‘digital spine’ concept for the energy system. This work aims to establish the needs case for an energy system ‘digital spine’ and its benefits to establishing a smart, flexible, decarbonised energy system. The study also aims to understand the potential scope of an energy system ‘digital spine’, the data infrastructure required to deliver it, and the costs of scope options.