(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2020-10)
Farhat, Karim; Mueller, Milton L.; Schaub, Matt; Simmons, Richard A.; Murphy, Sharon
Industrial data (ID) has the potential to play a key role in finding efficiencies in energy markets and thus lower rates for
consumers. The realm of industrial data within the energy sector encompasses a broad ecosystem involving many stakeholders. This policy brief is intended to focus specifically on implications for Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), energy service and technology providers including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), policymakers, and researchers, as well as interactions among them. Within this construct, we find that:
• IOUs could better leverage data analytics to utilize capital, natural resources, and public infrastructure more
efficiently;
• ID could lead to better alignment of incentives between utilities and policy/regulation;
• Methods to facilitate market entry for local third-party energy service providers should be explored to benefit the
regional economy and to avoid ceding leadership to foreign or out-of-state competition;
• More collaboration within the standards space and during the standards deliberation process is warranted (in
particular between OEMs and energy providers);
• ID and energy stakeholders have an obligation and opportunity to improve regulations for Critical Infrastructure
Protection (CIP) with future implications on grid cybersecurity;
• Coordination and R&D among utilities, policymakers and research institutions can enhance and accelerate
knowledge diffusion and beneficial outcomes for owners, consumers, and the environment.