Smart Metering and Smart Grids will usher in a new world of possibilities to the utilities industry. ElectraLink is critical to delivering Britain’s Smart energy future.
Realtime Data Flows
We have been working on ways in which we can facilitate interoperability and introduce new ‘real time’ data flows to the utilities industry. This will enable utilities to continue to benefit from ElectraLink’s proven, secure data management and expertise, as well as our significantly upgraded Smart-ready infrastructure.
The Use of the DTN as the DCC User Gateway
ElectraLink is pleased to publish the results of a recent consultation with UK energy market participants (both gas and electricity) to capture their requirements for data transfer to and from the DCC. ElectraLink engaged PA Consulting to manage this consultation and to translate these requirements, with ElectraLink’s support, into a detailed report covering the economic, technical and security aspects of DCC data transfer.
The PA report can be downloaded here.
Meeting the Smart needs of security, costs and competition
Security - ElectraLink has been providing secure data transfer services for the utilities industry since 1998. We have experienced no known security breaches during our existence and are confident that by providing a single network between the industry and the DCC will ensure security of data for our customers.
Costs - We have also consistently driven down costs during this same time period. By enabling utilities to use our same DTN infrastructure for Smart metering, this will also keep costs to a minimum, whilst also allowing new entrants to access the entire electricity market through our network for a very low entry cost.
Competition – We facilitate competition by creating a level playing field. Every day we enable the transfer of hundreds of thousands of files between industry participants and administer the codes that govern industry interoperability.
Implementing the Smart vision:
ElectraLink has historically brought clarity to the Smart debate. We are now focused on deploying new data and governance services to support the future objectives of the utilities industry in a Smart, low carbon future.
Implementing Smart - Foundation, the Regulatory Environment and Greater Competition through Inter-Operability
ElectraLink’s Network, Governance and Professional Services aggregate to create a compelling set of capabilities to facilitate the deployment of Smart. At present, this involves:
Network Services – we are developing new data flows to assist third party providers of interim metering services in the Foundation period to ensure full supplier interoperability of their solutions.
Governance Services – we are supporting DECC in the development of a set of rules and a code to control and govern the Smart world and ensure efficient work practices. In addition, we are working with SPAA and DCUSA to assess the impact of Smart on these key industry codes.
Professional Services – we are working with service providers to support the development of their technical systems to support Smart metering. In addition we are supporting DECC as it documents the requirements for the DCC.
Three things are certain:
- The utilities industry will require new transactional services, especially moving from the batch world to the real-time transfer of data between industry participants.
- New data analytics services will be required to improve industry data quality and provide greater transparency to industry processes.
- The facilitation of both commercial and technical interoperability will be key to ensuring Smart meters can be seamlessly transferred in the event that customers change energy suppliers.
Bookmark this page as we will update it regularly as things develop.