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 →

Improving access to non-domestic energy consumption data

I recently wrote a post describing the data ecosystem for non-domestic energy consumption data in the UK. In that post I summarised my current understanding of the different actors involved in that data ecosystem, and some of the challenges of trying to access data from the perspective of a third-party service provider. In an earlier … Continue reading Improving access to non-domestic energy consumption data →

The data ecosystem for non-domestic energy consumption data in the UK

Since joining Energy Sparks I've started investing time in trying to understanding the UK energy system and, in particular, the parts of its data infrastructure and broader ecosystem that we work with. It's a big, complex system so lots to wrap my head around. I looked at one part of that data ecosystem in a … Continue reading The data ecosystem for non-domestic energy consumption data in the UK →