Digitalisation strategy and action plan Version 4.0 June 2021 > Introduction Introduction Executive Stakeholder Executive summary summary engagement Stakeholder engagement Data & digitalisation strategy Action plan Glossary Annex 1 Annex 2 There are five sections in this document Data & Action plan Glossary digitalisation strategy Annex 1 & 2 Introduction Executive summary Stakeholder Introduction engagement – Methodology Data– You said.& We did. –digitalisation You said. We will. strategy – Working Actionwith other plan organisations Glossary– What we will do next Annex 1 Data & digitalisationAnnex 2 strategy Action plan Glossary Annex 1 Annex 2 Northern Powergrid 02 Introduction Introduction Executive summary Stakeholder engagement – Methodology Data– You said.& We did. –digitalisation You said. We will. strategy – Working The development and deployment of new In the future, we know that data will increasingly technologies will be a key part of how we underpin the functions of Distribution System Actionwith other plan organisations make the transition to zero-carbon electricity. Operations (DSO) to meet the needs of In the next decade, we will see millions of a changing energy sector. Glossary– What we will homes and businesses embrace electric do next vehicles, adopt heat pumps and use battery Our company vision is clear – we see the future Annex 1 storage in combination with renewable as our opportunity to power our region with Data & sources of generation. sustainable, long-term investments that unleash digitalisationAnnex 2 the potential of innovation, digitalisation, our strategy New digital technologies, including automation, people and collaboration. Our digitalisation data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, will strategy and action plan (DSAP) therefore sets Action plan enable consumers to become active participants out to embrace that vision and develop the digital in the energy system and transform how it capabilities required to meet the challenge Glossary operates. These changes will place new stresses of net zero and develop the functions of DSO. on energy networks while simultaneously Annex 1 creating new opportunities to innovate and transform how we manage our systems and utilise flexibility services as we enable the Annex 2 transition to net zero. They are also driving profound changes in what our customers, partners, suppliers and employees expect from us as a business. Energy networks have a vital role in enabling the overall energy system to evolve and support rapid decarbonisation. As a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), we have had a central role Throughout this document, in facilitating a low-carbon energy system, you will see us mention existing connecting people to renewable power products and services. You can across our region. access or get information on these by visiting www.northernpowergrid.com/ services-directory/ Northern Powergrid 03 Introduction Digital technology is a key enabler Executive summary of our transition Stakeholder engagement – Methodology Data– You said.& We did. –digitalisation You said. We will. strategy – Working Our vision sees the network evolve into a Continued investment in digital technology trusted and neutral platform able to facilitate and innovation will drive the delivery of a more Actionwith other plan organisations the optimisation of our regions’ energy system efficient, optimised network that reduces costs and minimise the need for new infrastructure and improves our service for customers. It will Glossary– What we will or reinforcement through maximised utilisation transform our customer experience, enabling do next of low-carbon generation and flexibility more tailored services and support – areas Annex 1 services. We will do this by using data and in which we are already making great strides. Data & data analytics for enhanced decision-making. By embracing these new technologies and digitalisationAnnex 2 moving to a fully digital workplace, we will also strategy By doing this we are confident that the network increase our efficiency as a business, improve can underpin a net-zero energy system and help transparency over how we operate and enable Action plan use resources sustainably. At the same time, more effective collaboration with our colleagues we want the network to continue to deliver and other organisations. Glossary what it does today, providing universal services for customers, suppliers and others to benefit Annex 1 everyone. Utilising digital technologies and capabilities is a key part of Distribution System Operation. The digital technology revolution Annex 2 is transforming every area of society and energy networks are no different. ‘Next generation’ digital capabilities (people, process, technology and data) have been developing rapidly in their availability, relevance and adoption across all industries. The speed at which new products are developed and the impact on customer satisfaction are growing exponentially. Northern Powergrid 04 Introduction Data will fuel our digitalisation Executive summary journey and become a core Stakeholder engagement competency for our business as – Methodology Data– You said.& We did. it will for the sector in general. –digitalisation You said. We will. strategy – Working — It is widely recognised in the sector that — We will increase the number of available data — Engaging with our stakeholders see here, with other modern data management principles will products and services by 70%, 45% of which we have identified and prioritised 50+ data Action plan projects (Open Data, business intelligence (BI), organisations underpin the move to a more flexible, net-zero will refresh in real time via automated energy system. It will increase transparency processes delivered through APIs as well as advanced analytics, etc.) to be delivered as Glossary– What we will and create opportunities for low-carbon dedicated portals to meet the needs of as Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and then do next innovators to access data which will enable many of our stakeholders as possible and we refined jointly with our stakeholders to make Annex 1 a range of low-carbon products and services. will work with other DNOs and the Electricity them fit for purpose. Data & System Operator (ESO) to make network data digitalisationAnnex 2 — We will significantly enhance our data and available in industry standard formats such as — You can read more about our plans strategy analytics capabilities, skills and platforms, the common information model (CIM). specific to data in thedata vision and enabling the capture and analysis of network best practice section. Action plan and market data and increasing our ability — A suite of self-serve analysis tools will be to expose high quality, Open Data and create developed that both blend the data and Glossary Open Data products and services in near enable external parties to generate insight. real time. We recognise it is not just the range of data Annex 1 that is increasing, but also the mode in which — We are committed to following Data Best it may be accessed. We are moving to more Practice (DBP) guidance principles and Energy Application Programming Interfaces (API) Annex 2 Data Taskforce (EDTF) recommendations that enable access to datasets on demand, on the visibility of data and assets, especially and, in some cases, near real-time streaming regarding ‘maximising value of data’ and interfaces. We will serve this to data demonstrating adoption of the ‘presumed stakeholders through a dedicated portal that open’ approach. Our ‘presumed open’ brings both the self-serve analysis and raw principle means that we will openly share data together in a ‘single pane of glass’ view. all our energy system data and only restrict access when issues of privacy, confidentiality — The sharing of near-real-time network or commerciality require it. Data will be made capacity will help ourselves and others to available in a raw form with metadata that co-ordinate dispatching of customer flexibility describes its content and quality. Our ambition services for whole system value in a way that is to make as much of this data real time as doesn’t cause a local network problem and possible and our plans see us invest in the therefore negative customer impact. technologies to make this a possibility. Northern Powergrid 05 Introduction Investing in core digital capabilities Executive summary Stakeholder engagement – Methodology Data– You said.& We did. –digitalisation You said. We will. strategy – Working Customers are at the heart of our digital — empower consumers to become active transformation; this includes those who participants in the energy system and adapt Actionwith other plan organisations do not wish to or cannot use technology. how it operates as it decarbonises – What we will — transform our customer experience to provide Glossary More information on this can be found here. more tailored services and support and drive do next higher standards of customer service Annex 1 Our strategy for the digitalisation of our network — better coordinate Network Operations and Data & and our business is wholly focused on delivering Annex 2 the most efficient, reliable, affordable and safe energy market operations, delivering greater digitalisation efficiency and unlocking new opportunities strategy network possible, while also enabling the transition to net-zero carbon. that benefit our customers and support net zero Action plan In line with our design principles, we believe that — create a digital workplace, increasing