SSEN becomes first DNO to publish full smart meter half-hourly consumption datasets

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is the first Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to publish its full smart meter half-hourly consumption datasets. The data is aggregated at the most granular level to give Network Level Visibility; maximising its usefulness to the energy sector and stakeholders, whilst protecting individual consumer privacy, and is available for all to access through SSEN’s specially developed Open Data Portal .

With over 1.8 million smart meters in SSEN’s north and south licence areas recording the active and reactive half hourly consumption, this equates to over 170 million readings per day. Currently 54% of meters in SSEN’s patches are ‘smart’ and this percentage increases daily as the UK’s smart meter programme continues to install at pace.

Sharing the informative data gathered from these readings, on a daily basis, gives detailed insight into 84,000 Low Voltage street-level feeders and over 36,000 distribution substations.

SSEN recognises that smart-meter consumption data is a valuable asset and resource to the wider energy sector, stakeholder and consumers. It’s this access to localised energy consumption that will enable SSEN and interested parties, such as local authorities, flexibility markets, academia and other energy supplier to model electricity demand with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Following Ofgem 's Data Best Practice consultation decision in August 2023 that permits DNOs to share consumption data, SSEN was the first DNO to obtain Ofgem approval of its updated Data Privacy Plan that demonstrates how it will securely collect aggregate and publish consumption data, while still protecting consumer privacy.

In addition, SSEN has collaborated with all other UK DNOs through the Energy Networks Association (ENA) to agree and implement an interoperable methodology for sharing this data in a consistent manner. A key focus was to agree an aggregation level of five or more smart meters from an individual circuit on the low voltage network: any lower than five meters or sensitive sites, following data triage, are excluded.

Paul Fitzgerald , Smart Energy Systems Manager at SSEN said:?

“These are exciting times for accessing and utilising smart meter data. SSEN is delighted to be the first DNO to unlock the full consumption datasets at such a granular level, and to make them available on our Open Data Portal for interested parties to access. “It has been a collaborative effort with our DCC Adapter provider CGI , who have successfully developed and implemented the systems to process and aggregate the large volumes of consumption data that enables us to collect and publish on a daily basis.

Paul continued:

“Smart meter data plays a key role in supporting a cost-effective and efficient transition to net zero. As we decarbonise heat and transport and move towards low carbon technologies, knowing current demand on the electricity network will help identify new opportunities for low carbon technologies, flexibility and reinforcement.”

Data sharing is crucial in the journey to Net Zero and SSEN continues to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders to promote data sharing in an accessible and user-friendly way that meets their needs.

SSEN is keen to hear stakeholder feedback to inform its future developments and opportunities, which can be provided by email: [email protected]

Smart meter consumption data can be accessed from our Open Data Portal here: SSEN Distribution Data Portal .