Issues related to data – their collection, reuse, treatment – are becoming critical for the energy sector. The terms of use of data generated by the energy sector were profoundly revised by the Law for the Energy Transition and Green Growth (Loi pour la Transition Énergétique et la Croissance Verte – LTECV) and the draft Bigital Republic Act.
Ethernet wires plugged on a switch – Photo credit: Ken Fager on Flickr[1] in CC
According to France’ Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) “a very large amount of data will be collected from low and medium voltage networks with the deployment of smart grid technologies: network legacy data, technical data, qualitative data regarding supply, and consumption and production data.“[2] The terms of access and reuse of these data were thoroughly modified by the Law of 17 August 2015 on the energy transition to green growth (LTECV) and the draft Digital Republic Act[3] (under review).
On the law on Energy Transition
Local authorities have long sought access to consumption data and energy production across their territory. In response to this demand, Article 179 of the LTECV law establishes the obligation for distribution system operators (DSOs) for electricity and gas to provide the “economic data necessary for the development of regulatory provisions defining the support mechanisms for the production of certain forms of energy and energy savings. “ To distribute these data, ERDF plans the establishment of a platform for the dynamic publishing of data.
Article 28 of this Act also provides that DNO shall make available to consumers “their meter data, warning systems linked to the level of consumption, as well as comparative data drawn from local and national statistical consumption averages .” Article 11 establishes, moreover, a “digital notebook for tracking household maintenance,” which will help owners and household occupants to plan household improvement and energy performance works.
Towards a draft bill for a Digital Repubic
The bill, passed by the National Assembly on 26 January 2016 and currently being reviewed by the Senate, continues the process initiated with Article 179 of the Law on the Energy Transition.
Section 10 of the bill foresees the releasing by default of data (open data) as part of public service delegation contracts. This provision does not specifically target GRD but all delegated public services, in the areas of water or transport for example. These data, considered to be in the “general interest” will provide “better information for citizens and greater transparency. These data are, in addition, of significant value for public authorities, because they help to change the organization of the service and to inform policy making.“
These provisions meet the expectations that were expressed by the stakeholders of the eco-industry – energy efficiency sector. “The opening of these data is likely to generate many benefits in connection with environmental, economic and social plans. Companies could develop and offer, thanks to these data, services and innovative products, and at all levels: individuals, businesses, neighborhoods, cities.“[5]
ITEMS International pour Think Smartgrids
[1] Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/48243739@N07/6641967253/
[2] Délibération de la Commission de régulation de l’énergie du 25 février 2015 portant communication sur le développement des réseaux intelligents – http://www.cre.fr/content/download/13013/158365/version/1/file/150225ReseauxIntelligents.pdf
[3] Projet de loi pour une République numérique. http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14/projets/pl3318.asp
[4] Etude d’impact du projet de Loi République numerique – http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14/projets/pl3318-ei.asp
[5] Contrat de filière éco-industrie efficacité énergétique – http://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/directions_services/conseil-national-industrie/Contrats_de_filieres/CF-COSEI_efficacite_energetique_signe_OK.pdf