Project Futurewave - Phase 2 (Digital Prototype)

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Environmental, social and economic impacts)

Applied Research and Development

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Sociology)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)

Project Contact
Cadent Gas

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2015

01 December 2015

6 months

£961,978

Technical Consultancy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

Project Contact, Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN
Project Contact, Wales and West Utilities
Project Contact, SP Energy Networks

To define the parameters of the digital platform, develop a digital prototype (with supporting commercial rationale) and test it with users across the 3 journeys (source it, build it, fund it) to assess its suitability for moving on to the next phase of the project. Success for this Phase 2 is to allow the Energy Innovation Centre and the Gas Distribution Networks to make the decision as to whether to move forward with Phase 03 of the project. This will be achieved through "proof of concept" via a user tested minimum viable product prototype that provides confidence that: There is demand for this type of collaboration platform across all user-types identified in the first stage of this phase The prototype demonstrates that data can be collected and harnessed in meaningful and productive ways Qualitative findings from end-user testing demonstrates that users find real value and ease-of-use in the platform The investment case demonstrates that the platform can be self-sustaining, through funding / revenue modelsThere is agreement that the platform can be delivered by the EIC efficiently and effectively

Energy customers in the UK have limited options for how they generate, access and consume energy, as well as the price they pay. There is also very little scope to flex supply across the energy distribution networks at a local level (i. e. switch off parts of the networks) which in turn makes it difficult to reduce generation capacity and make significant carbon reductions at a national level. Moreover, the cost of energy and access to different sources in rural areas is adding to the issue of fuel poverty. Additionally, concerns around the Energy Trilemma, are relatively unsophisticated when it comes to understanding the energy market - and the potential of gas within it. Any model to resolve these issues has to help inform consumers about the value of gas and help place it on the social agenda. Phase 01 of Project Futurewave was a feasibility study leading to the development of a collaborative approach for the Gas Networks to collectively identify, design and develop future pilot projects that deliver valuable proof of concepts for the industry. This led to the concept of a digital platform to facilitate a collaborative approach. Background to the digital platform: With the heightened pressures on the energy industry to demonstrate value to its customers, there is a renewed focus on satisfying their needs. GDNs cannot meet the challenge alone. By understanding their pain points and their challenges, the energy industry is aligning to seek opportunities to redeploy its assets and resources to create dynamic solutions for customers. Today’s UK energy sector is made up of disconnected players and networks, who actually need one another, leaving an unaddressed gap - between customer needs and their solutions, between technologies and markets, between capital and projects. The digital platform activates the creation, design and development of new customer centric energy initiatives with a new level of efficiency and speed. The platform is designed to close three unaddressed gaps in the energy market and give stakeholders a new way to engage. Phase 2 seeks to develop and validate a prototype of the digital platform to inform the decision to continue with the Development, phase 3, of the project. This Phase 2 of work is focused around conceptualising, designing and developing the digital Platform and each one of its three digital tools into a fully dimensioned product and business proposition that are ready for sharing with key stakeholders and end users. It will be focused on creating confidence in the solution by creating a digital prototype to test the experience and tools, supported by a commercial rationale and investment case for the platform including financial, strategic and operational requirements, risk assessment, and organisational design.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

29/10/18