The Energy Data Centre (EDC) Lead, Catherine Jones, and Graduate Data Steward, Oliver Brough, travelled to the City of Birmingham Library for the launch of the Careers and Skills for Data-driven Research (CaSDaR) network, taking the opportunity to share some of their research data activities with others in the community.

CaSDaR is part of the UK Research and Innovation Digital Research Technical Professional Skills Network+ call. Both the call and this particular network aim to build communities, career paths, and skills for those who enable researchers with their specialist expertise.

Led by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza the CaSDaR network+ focuses on Data Stewards, who ensure that research data is effectively managed and shared, enhancing the long-term value of academic work and investment in research.

Exploring barriers to energy data sharing

At the event, Catherine gave a lightning talk: "Data Sharing Challenges for Energy Modellers: Outcome of a Workshop". The original workshop was part of the DAFNI Data Infrastructure for National Infrastructure project, which examined the barriers to data sharing for researchers in energy, transport, and water.

Energy models are used by academics, government, and industry, but can vary in complexity, data volumes, and openness. Key issues include the challenges of finding data about new technology, inadequate documentation, metadata, and common terminology, and recognising the effort needed to run and participate in communities.

Thanks to Mike Colechin and Andy Boston for facilitating this activity; a full report is available on the EDC portal (doi:10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000985).

Enhancing FAIR scoring in energy data management

Oliver presented a poster on "Supporting FAIR: Experiences in Improving the Scores on the Doors", which described four areas of recent work to enhance the FAIRness of the Energy Data Centre.

1. Policies Review (by Catherine Jones)
2. Energy Ontology Landscapes (Catherine Jones, Teagan Zoldoske, and Karen van Haltren)
3. FAIR-Enabled API (Peter Holt and Catherine Jones)
4. FAIR Assessment Tools Review (Oliver Brough)

Catherine and Oliver enjoyed meeting old colleagues and making new contacts at the event and wish CaSDaR every success over the next five years. The EDC team are keen to be active participants in the network.