SBRI Concept 1

Summary

Connected Places Catapult has previously developed a working prototype of a spatial data platform that uses critical infrastructure data (from electricity companies) to visualise current network capacity spatially and combines it with planning data to forecast how this will reduce over time.  

This cloud-hosted application was designed for the support planning teams and utility companies to make strategic decisions on capacity, connectivity and constraints of proposed site development over time. At the time it was developed, we used industry-standard ‘rules of thumb’ to model how new development would create additional demand on the energy network.  These rules of thumb did not consider:

• The construction energy efficiency of the development
• The energy technologies (including renewable energy or smart meters) used by the development 
• Any energy technologies to be employed across the network (eg demand management)

We would like to explore ways in which the core concept of GrowthPlanner can be refined and improved to include a more sophisticated modelling of future energy demand, to address the above, as well as understand how the information already collected as part of the working prototype fits with the ‘common data architecture’ concept.

Connected Places Catapult intends to lead this application but is seeking a technical partner to subcontract who has experience of working directly with energy system actors from the critical infrastructure engineering perspective. 

Concept

Connected Places Catapult is looking for an engineering company to subcontract.

Ideally, the company will, in collaboration with Connected Places C:

• Test, validate and refine the ‘rating methodology’ (this is the IP that takes electricity network data, turns it into a spatial expression of capacity and uses planning data to model it forward) with reference to building energy efficiency, building energy technologies and energy network technologies.
• Understand how the data collected by GrowthPlanner fits within the ‘common data architecture’ concept and what data sources could be made open to support wider market development.
• Engage with relevant agencies (such as the Centre for Protection for National Infrastructure) to ensure all cybersecurity elements are considered and resolved.
• Engage with energy network stakeholders (electricity system operators and distribution system operators) to refine the software architecture and define the business model.
• Engage with Local Planning Authorities to validate the rating methodology and business model.

Collaborator Capabilities

We are seeking a collaborator with the following experience and capabilities:

• Utility network engineering – understanding of electricity substation capacity and relationship with development.
• Agile Software development – creation of digital products that respond to user needs, including back and front end development, and associated data science.
• Software marketing and commercialisation – taking software products to market, including sales, management and maintenance.

Intellectual Property

Connected Places Catapult owns the IP relating to GrowthPlanner and will enter into a collaborative research agreement with our preferred collaborator that sets out the terms under which it is to be exploited.  We have a preference for a more open-source approach which might create the greatest possible impact but are aware that commercial considerations will apply.