Access to energy data

Mamahloko SenatlaEnergy Research Centre, University of Cape Town

2012/07/30 Energy Systems and Analysis Group 1

State of access to energy data• Bad Shape–Bits and pieces–Proportion of time taken to model vs data

collection is about 80%:20%• Quality energy data is central to modelling• High quality energy data essential:

• Improved modelling• Strong and meaningful policy making• Remove data stress from modellers• Energy modelling innovation can emerge

2012/07/30 Energy Systems and Analysis Group 2

3

Improving the situation• Open Energy Database Initiative– Raw data– Central repository for energy research– Open access

Database contents

• http://opened.netgen.co.za

2012/07/30 Energy Systems and Analysis Group

4

Challenges encountered • Main challenges

– Culture of secrecy still exist– Market sensitivity issue

• Technology data– Technologies used in different sectors

• Residential data – market sensitive– Manufacturers and distributors

• Commercial sector – market sensitive– Associations and manufacturers

• Industrial sector – problems– Associations, manufacturers and distributors

• Energy consumption data– No single source– Synthesis of several research outputs

2012/07/30 Energy Systems and Analysis Group

5

Strategies need to improve data access• Development of a series of energy databases

1. Renewable energy resource database (verified and quality checked)– Solar – Biomass– Wind– others

2. Technology and end use database3. Energy Supply technologies database

• Formation of energy data collection centre• Develop a relationship btwn researchers and private

sector• New legislation around energy access data

2012/07/30 Energy Systems and Analysis Group

Energy Systems and Analysis Group 6

The Question for now is: How can we share the

bits and pieces?

2012/07/30