green transition

Improved access to data and better frameworks for test and demonstration will accelerate the green transition

Energy IT systems Energy efficiency Energy systems
With the vision of Denmark as a front-runner in the green transition, the Danish Growth Team for sustainable energy and green technology today presented 10 specific recommendations to strengthen the Danish energy and utility industry. Recommendations that fit the strategy of Center for Electric Power and Energy at DTU like a glove.

The Growth Team, appointed by the Government in May 2018, today presented 10 recommendations on how to maintain the Danish position of strength when it comes to the global green transition. Throughout the recommendations, a strong focus on digitalization of the energy industry is evident. The growth team calls for a more digitalized green sector with improved access to data and a better framework for test and demonstration of new solutions in a larger scale.

Access to consumption data is key
An easier and faster access to the data that utility companies collects through digital meters on electricity, water, and heating is a key factor in the further development of an intelligent energy system according to the Growth Teams first two recommendations.

At Center for Electric Power and Energy (CEE), we applaud the Growth Team’s focus on initiatives that supports an exceled accessibility of data. Last year, CEE increased our strategy on digitalization, strongly backed by our new Digital Energy Lab, which holds a new digital infrastructure that will accelerate the development of data-driven energy solutions and thereby stand as an efficient support of the green transformation of the Danish energy system.

With the new Digital Energy Lab, funded by EUDP, CEE inspires to speed up the energy industry development, by developing a test and demonstration facility for real-time data management and energy analytics, which will accelerate both technology development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A necessary next step in order to provide Danish companies better possibilities to develop new business opportunities based on the knowledge of real-life data.

Improved frameworks for test and demonstration
The Growth Team’s recommendations also called for an establishment of platforms for test and demonstration of technologies across the energy sector. Much of this is already being done in EnergyLab Nordhavn, a project where CEE together with 12 partners from the Danish energy sector test and demonstrate how electricity and heating, energy-efficient buildings, and electric transport can be integrated into an intelligent, flexible, and optimized energy system.

Through EnergyLab Nordhavn and other living lab projects, our experience is that there is no doubt that the rest of the world looks toward Denmark when it comes to green solutions. In 2018 alone more than 70 delegations from all over the world paid a visit to Nordhavn to learn about energy technology but also how public and private companies work together in partnerships to find solutions for the energy challenges all societies are facing.

However, for RD & D projects like EnergyLab Nordhavn and the many other energy projects managed by CEE it is crucial that we have regulatory free zones to test new solutions in large scale. The possibility of testing new solutions without the usual regulation has been on the top of our agenda for a number of years. CEE has for many years worked together with Bornholms Energi & Forsyning on various projects. Having the possibility of performing large-scale tests in an environment like the island of Bornholm would no doubt pave the way for new energy solutions benefitting society by creating not only a better environment but also supporting Danish green growth.

Calls for action

The 10 recommendations calls for action and the Growth Teams asks the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs to implement the recommendations and play an active role coordinating new partnerships. CEE will be happy to share our experiences and meet up with stakeholders across the industry to make sure that Denmark, also in the future, are known as a front-runner in green technology.