A pioneering approach is being launched to streamline energy planning and data sharing for local authorities across London.
The new ‘Share Once’ project which has been warmly welcomed by the Greater London Authority (GLA), provides fast access to high quality data to accelerate boroughs’ environmental enhancements.
The project by the GLA and UK Power Networks, pools vital information about each local area’s long-term plans to decarbonise, such as proposed low carbon heat networks and new infrastructure like public electric vehicle chargepoints.
Instead of submitting such data multiple times to the GLA and UK Power Networks, local authorities will now be able to save time and money by sharing their plans once, building up a picture of the capital’s wider plans to cut carbon emissions.
This new collaborative approach will also help UK Power Networks plan to build new infrastructure. Long-term plans from local authorities have already been used to inform UK Power Networks’ Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES), an online toolkit outlining the company’s investment in the electricity network.
A whole range of free data and tools are available on UK Power Networks’ Your Local Net Zero Hub website, empowering authorities to design cost-effective decarbonisation strategies to help the UK achieve Net Zero by 2050. For example, the company also offers an energy planning tool enabling local authorities to plan Net Zero projects. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can model the impact of deploying low-carbon technologies like EV chargers, heat pumps and solar panels in their area.
The GLA’s DataHub is an innovative digital platform which hosts and visualises data relevant to local area energy planning. These datasets cover energy supply and demand across various sectors including buildings, energy infrastructure, industry, socioeconomics, and transport. The DataHub will support local authorities to meet their Net Zero and decarbonisation targets by providing consistent evidence base and promoting collaboration across the sector.
The GLA has recognised the ‘Share Once’ approach as a transformative move for London boroughs. Jules Pipe, deputy mayor of London for Planning and Regeneration, said: “I welcome UK Power Networks’ ‘Share Once’ initiative which will make local authorities’ journey towards Net Zero easier by promoting secure data sharing and collaboration.
“The mayor is committed to leveraging data and technology to improve our city, and the GLA has worked closely with UK Power Networks to align the GLA’s LAEP DataHub with UK Power Networks’ LAEP+ to enhance decarbonisation and local area energy planning.”
Lynne McDonald, head of Local Net Zero at UK Power Networks’ DSO said: “The Share Once initiative means councils can submit data to the GLA and it simplifies the process for local authorities by removing the complexities of sharing the same data repetitively. This is another step in our ongoing journey as we listen to customers and consider how we can work beyond our own organisation, in collaboration with others, to make things easier for everyone locally.
“By streamlining data sharing and fostering collaboration in partnership with the Greater London Authority, we’re helping local authorities tailor energy solutions that benefit their communities and drive progress towards a sustainable, Net Zero future.”
