Energy and Utilities

The energy transition is reshaping how the UK generates, manages and consumes power. As the country works towards a decarbonised power system by 2035 and net zero by 2050, energy and utilities organisations face growing pressure to modernise infrastructure, improve resilience and unlock new sources of flexibility.  

This is not only a decarbonisation challenge. It is also an operational, commercial and systems challenge. As networks become more distributed and data-rich, organisations need better visibility, faster decision-making and more secure, interoperable digital foundations to deliver reliable, affordable low-carbon energy. 

Digitalisation is a critical enabler of this transition. From forecasting and optimisation to data sharing, automation and digital twins, advanced technologies can help energy providers reduce risk, improve performance and build a more responsive energy system fit for a net zero future. 

Three priorities are shaping the next phase of digital innovation across the energy system: 

• Digital and data transformation 
• Integrating renewable energy sources 
• Virtualising the energy system, for example, digital twins 

Digital & data transformation 

Digital and data transformation underpins every part of the energy transition. To operate a more decentralised, dynamic system, organisations need trusted data, secure connectivity and the ability to turn insight into action. 

Key challenges include: 

1. Whole-system planning and forecasting: Organisations need approaches that account for generation, networks, assets and demand across the full energy system, not in isolation. 
2. Secure, open data exchange: Data must move across the supply chain in ways that are interoperable, well-governed and resilient to cyber risk. 
3. Flexibility at scale: Delivering customer value through flexibility depends on high-quality real-time data and the rapid deployment of connected cyber-physical services. 
4. Data architecture and use: Organisations need clarity on how data should be captured, communicated, stored and applied to improve decisions and outcomes. 

Integrating renewable energy sources 

The UK already has significant renewable generation capacity, particularly in wind and solar. The next challenge is integrating these variable, distributed sources into an energy system that remains reliable, affordable and easy to operate. 

1. Visibility: Operators need better visibility of distributed assets and flexibility across the network to reduce operational risk and improve planning. 
2. Control: Grid operations must become more adaptive to manage variable renewable supply and maintain system stability. 
3. Forecasting and market access: More accurate forecasting and broader participation from smaller assets and aggregators can improve cost-effectiveness and unlock greater customer value. 

Virtualising the energy system: digital twins 

Digital twins will play an increasingly important role in planning, monitoring and optimising the energy system. By creating virtual representations of physical assets, networks and processes, organisations can test scenarios, improve decision-making and reduce delivery risk. 

1. Data quality and availability: Accurate simulation depends on timely, reliable data from multiple sources. 
2. Scalability and complexity: Building digital twins for large, interconnected energy systems remains technically demanding. 
3. Integration and interoperability: Different models, platforms and data environments must work together to provide a joined-up system view. 
4. Security and privacy: Digital twin infrastructure must protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. 
5. Model validation: Models need to be calibrated and updated continuously to remain useful in real-world conditions. 
6. Regulatory readiness: Policy and governance frameworks must evolve to support adoption and unlock value. 
7. Organisational change: Teams need the skills, confidence and culture to adopt more data-driven ways of working. 

We work with energy networks, utilities, public bodies and innovators across the sector. Partners and clients include Northern Gas Networks, SSE Renewables, National Grid, SP Energy Networks, UK Power Networks and National Gas Transmission. 

“We asked Digital Catapult to join our SIF project at the Alpha stage to unlock the digital opportunities of the new robotic technologies that our innovation partner Synovate has developed for the gas industry. Digital Catapult used their Data and IoT experts to carry out a full review of the data architectures and propose a new approach that would enable the rapid sharing and analysis of data between the gas industry and Synovate. Digital Catapult also utilised their AI technologists to identify eight use cases for the introduction of AI into the detection of leaks using the thermal imagery sensor mounted to the robot.”  Keith Owen
Head of Innovation, Northern Gas Networks