Smart Meter Data Usage at the Centre for Net Zero, Gus Chadney and Sheng Chai

In this episode, Adam is joined by Gus Chadney and Sheng Chai from the Centre for Net Zero, a UK based not-for-profit impact-driven energy research institute that researches solutions for net zero energy production.

Gus, Sheng and Adam discuss the exciting work the CNZ does at home and around the world. Much of their research makes use of historic smart meter data that’s gathered from other energy sector businesses.

They discuss how they interpret this data and use it to fuel synthetic modelling that can be used for research into current energy usage. 

We also learn about OpenSynth, a new project the CNZ has launched with The Linux Foundation (LF Energy). The project fuels a community of researchers with smart meter data they’ve gathered, allowing other researchers to conduct their own studies. The dataset released via OpenSynth is said to contain ten million synthetic load profiles, trained on over three hundred million smart meter readings from twenty thousand Octopus Energy UK households. 

The three talk about the capitalisation of this information and the privacy concerns that smart meter users may have with research companies, accessing their energy consumption and specific demographic data.

They discuss the different ways smart meter data is gathered around the world and how this can reflect local consumption behaviours. Gus and Sheng also go on to discuss the ways researchers can educate the public on the benefits of using this data, such as publishing use cases. 

Gus, Sheng and Adam discuss: 

• The work carried out at the Centre for Net Zero
• The Centre’s relationship with the energy sector
• OpenSynth, the new community of energy researchers
• The use of Smart Meter data in research
• Privacy concerns surrounding the capitalisation of such personal data

The Hypercube podcast sits down with leaders in the energy and utilities sectors to explore how data analytics can help businesses make smarter decisions and accelerate business growth.

Chapter Markers

[0:44] Introduction to Gus, Sheng and the Centre for Net Zero

[4:39] Deciding the biggest priorities for CNZ

[06:57] Modelling synthetic smart meter data 

[12:23] The difference in data from around the world

[15:26] Generating synthetic data and smart meter data privacy concerns

[22:00] The line between appropriate and problematic data usage

[26:24] The future of smart meter research 

Useful Links

The Centre for Net Zero website: centrefornetzero.org

OpenSynth, the CNZ’s new project: https://www.centrefornetzero.org/news/opensynth-new-data-release 

Gus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anguschadney

Sheng on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shengy90