The Challenge: Fragmented Energy Data
Accessing and working with electricity network data across Great Britain is no small task. Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Open Datasets have so far been released separately by each operator, with little coordination between them.
Each dataset came with its own formats, attribute names, and definitions, making integration and analysis difficult. Analysts and planners looking to understand the bigger picture faced a patchwork of incompatible data and no way to seamlessly plan across multiple DNO regions. This lack of a unified view limited large-scale planning, analysis, and, most importantly, the development of a national digital twin for the energy system.
The Solution: A National View through Cadence
As part of our IUK funded Digital Twins for Advanced Collaborative Energy System Planning project, we set out to solve this fragmentation. The result is a harmonised national energy network dataset, now fully integrated into Cadence, our platform for network data access, analysis, and digital twin visualisation.
We’ve taken major steps to make this possible:
- Integrated datasets from multiple DNOs into a consistent structure.
- Matched attributes across regions to ensure comparability.
- Standardised definitions for clarity and accuracy.
- Resolved inconsistencies to ensure seamless planning and analysis.
- Enabled a unified national view of the energy network, spanning all of the UK.
- Opened the dataset and made it accessible via API
This dataset lays the foundation for digital twin development and high-impact energy network planning.
What You Can Do Now
With this development, Cadence unlocks entirely new capabilities for energy professionals, researchers, and decision-makers:
- Explore a national dataset of the energy network across voltage levels.
- Plan and scope projects across multiple DNO regions with ease.
- Test scenarios and simulate infrastructure changes using the digital twin.
- Compare and analyse network data in a consistent, accessible format.
- Support evidence-based decisions for net zero strategies and energy transition initiatives.
Whether you’re involved in infrastructure planning, policy-making, or energy research, Cadence brings clarity and scale to your work.
Ready to Experience the Power of Cadence?
Sign up today and start exploring the UK’s national energy dataset through Cadence.
We are now hosting a webinar on this too to walk you through the digital twin and Cadence’s new features. Register for this here.
Want a demo or have questions? Email us at cadence@cityscience.com, we’d love to show you what Cadence can do.