UK Power Networks (UKPN) is providing 100 datasets on its Open Data Portal to help local authorities achieve their net zero targets.
Working in conjunction with local authorities including Essex County Council and the Greater London Authority, the datasets will range from wind speeds, flood zones and socio-economic data to electricity network maps and information showcasing where there is extra electrical capacity. These are all free to use.
This will help local authorities take a data-driven, evidence-based approach to uncover the most cost-effective route for communities to reach net zero by 2050.
Via the data, UKPN has indicated that local authorities will be able to understand the best place to connect renewable energy generators in addition to what type of energy generation will be most effective in neighbourhoods or surrounding areas.
“Stakeholders told us open data sits at the very centre of the transition to net zero and enables them to make the best choices for their local communities,” said Lynne McDonald, local area energy planning manager at UK Power Networks.
“Access to the right data, in the right format is crucial to driving targets and open data like this is unrivalled in the industry. We hope to empower local authorities to take climate action now, giving them the data and digital tools needed to make informed decisions.”
Access to the socio-economic data such as employment rates, age and health conditions alongside energy information will enable local authorities to build this information into models to identify several opportunities to support aspects of decarbonisation.
This includes boosting local economies, encouraging investment such as installing EV chargepoints, improving the local environment such as installing more low carbon technologies, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution, and delivering cheaper, greener energy for local homes and businesses to help achieve net zero at the lowest cost.
“Good data is essential to plan and target net zero programmes – whether for retrofit, renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, or decarbonising heat. All of these are vitally important challenges not only for net zero but also for growth and levelling up,” said Thomas Day, head of energy and low carbon programme at Essex County Council.
“The initiative by UK Power Networks to bring data together in to one place and make it easier for local authorities to plan our work, engage with local communities and start to explore ‘whole area’ approaches in a more planned and strategic way is vital, to help us with unlocking the potential benefits of the transition to net zero for our residents and our business community.”
In July, UKPN launched a new programme designed to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon transport such as EVs. The Low Carbon Technology Customer Group will see the network operator initially approach the owners and managers of destination venues, property landlords and business workplaces across its network area who are planning to install low-carbon technologies.