Energy System Data

Learn what energy system data is, who produces it, how it flows from 40 million smart meters through settlement to your bill, and why it matters for Clean Power 2030.

Start at the top, move stage by stage, then use practice and stage tests when you want a stronger check.

9 hours3 stages, 15 modulesBeginners welcomeFree, no account
Start with Module 1
Wind turbines at sunset - photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash

What you will learn

  • Explain what energy system data is, why it matters, and what the five key tensions shaping the sector are
  • Identify the 40+ organisations that produce, consume, and govern energy data and describe their data roles
  • Describe how the physical electricity and gas networks generate data at every voltage level
  • Navigate the complete 87-type data taxonomy across 13 categories with correct sensitivity classifications
  • Explain how 40 million smart meters work, including DCC WAN architecture and DUIS service requests
  • Trace the complete 7-stage data lifecycle from meter reading through settlement to consumer bill

Who this course is for

  • People who are new to energy data and want a precise mental model instead of memorised acronyms
  • Data engineers, analysts, and architects working in or entering the energy sector
  • Regulatory professionals, policy advisors, and compliance officers in energy governance

Prerequisites: None. The course starts from first principles and explains every acronym before using it.

Course curriculum

Read the modules in order on the first pass. Use the practice and stage tests when you want a stricter check on what stuck.

1

Energy data foundations

5 modules · 3 hours

1The big picture: why energy data matters24 min2Meet the players: 40+ organisations mapped30 min3The wires and pipes: physical infrastructure to data36 min487 types of energy system data42 min5Smart meters: 40 million data sources30 min
2

Data lifecycle, rules, and governance

5 modules · 3 hours

6From meter to market: the 7-stage data lifecycle42 min7The rulebook: legislation, codes, and RIIO36 min8Who controls the data: governance and triage30 min9Your data, your rights: privacy and security36 min10Show me the money: settlement and markets36 min
3

Context, transformation, and deep dives

5 modules · 3 hours

11GB in context: international comparison30 min12The digital future: seven transformation programmes36 min13Digitalisation framework: governance architecture30 min14CIM and interoperability: the common language42 min15Planning tomorrow's grid: FES, SSEP, and beyond42 min

Standards and references

This course is aligned to the following standards, frameworks, and certification objectives.

  1. 1Ofgem Data Best Practice Guidance v3.5 (June 2025)
  2. 2IEC 61970-301:2022 Common Information Model (CIM)
  3. 3Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) Sections K, S, T, Q, V
  4. 4Retail Energy Code (REC) and Smart Energy Code (SEC)
  5. 5UK GDPR and Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
  6. 6RIIO-ED2 and RIIO-3 licence conditions