Calculating carbon emissions for energy data in the UK

I've recently been taking a closer look at the Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) guidelines. While we currently produce figures on CO2 emissions in Energy Sparks we're not producing SECR style reports for schools or trusts. This is something we're planning to add to the product soon, so I've been looking at what's involved … Continue reading Calculating carbon emissions for energy data in the UK →

Falsehoods this programmer believed about energy meters

This is the second part to a post I published earlier this week in which I summarised some things I learned about working with half-hourly energy data. I'll be updating that shortly with a few extra details and clarifications. This post will be a summary of some things I've learned about energy meters and metering. … Continue reading Falsehoods this programmer believed about energy meters →

Falsehoods this programmer believed about half-hourly energy data

It is common for energy generation and consumption values to be presented as half-hourly readings: giving 48 readings over the course of a single 24 hour period. This is the type of data we're working with on a daily basis in Energy Sparks. I thought I'd share a few things that I learned about working … Continue reading Falsehoods this programmer believed about half-hourly energy data →

Data format design is a UX issue

I've been getting frustrated by CSV files again. The context for this is my day job at Energy Sparks. I've written about the wide range ofdifferent CSV formats that we have to contend with in order to accept data from a range of energy suppliers and meter operators. While there are a number of loose … Continue reading Data format design is a UX issue →

The complexities of working with non-domestic half-hourly meter data

Energy consumption in non-domestic properties are more complex to analyse that domestic settings. Some notes on some of those challenges, particularly around metering.

UK Energy Flows 2022

Last week the UK government published the latest version of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES). These are annual National Statistics that describe how the UK is producing and consuming energy. There's lots in there which I'm still reading. But one diagram in particular has caught my attention. Energy Flow Chart 2022 Energy Flow … Continue reading UK Energy Flows 2022 →

First impressions of the Octopus Home Mini

For the last couple of months I've had an Octopus Home Mini in the house. I thought I'd share some first impressions. Firstly, what is it? It's a small pink device that is designed to give you a more detailed view of your current energy usage, as measured by your smart meter. It does this … Continue reading First impressions of the Octopus Home Mini →

The Public Charge Point regulations and other examples of open data and standards in UK legislation

This week the UK published some new draft legislation: The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. You can read a summary of what the legislation covers elsewhere, but what caught my attention was that it purports to require that operators of electric vehicle charging points must publish open data about their charging points. But I was … Continue reading The Public Charge Point regulations and other examples of open data and standards in UK legislation →

Round up of some current energy sector data infrastructure projects

Now that I work in the energy sector I'm trying to pay closer attention to how the data infrastructure in that area is evolving. Here's a round up of some current and recent projects that I've been keeping an eye on. Along with some thoughts on their scope, overlaps and potential outcomes. Ofgem review of … Continue reading Round up of some current energy sector data infrastructure projects →

Reflecting on Energy Sparks as a “Community Tech” project

I recently attended the launch event for the new Power To Change Community Tech Fund and have been reading through the essays and report on the Community Tech network website. It's great to see this topic getting some attention and much needed funding. It's also prompted me to reflect a bit on my own experience … Continue reading Reflecting on Energy Sparks as a “Community Tech” project →