Lead:
Moving electricity networks from fragmented, reactive operations towards secure, interoperable and predictive decision-making.
Executive Summary:
GSC proposes a vendor-neutral framework connecting digital readiness, data governance, interoperability, SCADA and operational visibility, asset intelligence, forecasting, AI, digital twins, DER and storage orchestration, cybersecurity, workforce capability and PMO. GSC can lead readiness assessment, target architecture, use-case prioritisation, requirements, pilots and programme governance.
Background:
Renewable growth, bidirectional power flows, ageing assets, data fragmentation and cyber exposure are increasing operational complexity. Digital technology creates value only when it is linked to trusted data, grid-operational decisions, accountable users, interoperable systems and secure lifecycle governance.
Vision: Enable utilities to make faster, better-governed and more predictive decisions while preserving human accountability, system security and operational resilience.
Strategic Framework:
| Workstream | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Digital readiness and target architecture | Assess systems, processes, skills, asset data and integration constraints; define a modular, vendor-neutral target state. |
| Data governance and interoperability | Establish ownership, quality, models, interfaces, lineage, access and standards across IT, OT and market data. |
| Real-time visibility and asset intelligence | Prioritise observability, condition monitoring, alarms, analytics and maintenance decisions for critical network assets. |
| AI, forecasting and digital twins | Develop governed use cases for load and renewable forecasting, anomaly detection, optimisation and simulation with human oversight. |
| DER, storage and flexibility orchestration | Connect distributed resources, storage, demand response and network constraints through clear operating and control principles. |
| Cybersecurity, resilience and delivery governance | Apply secure-by-design architecture, lifecycle controls, recovery planning, capability building, assurance and PMO. |
GSC Role:
GSC can lead digital-readiness assessment, data and integration architecture, operational use cases, AI and digital-twin roadmaps, DER and flexibility concepts, cyber-by-design requirements, procurement support and PMO.
Partner and Authority Scope:
Detailed telecoms, protection, platform configuration, product implementation, penetration testing, regulated cyber assurance, control-centre commissioning and operator certification require qualified utility and technology specialists.
This initiative is a forward-looking GSC framework. It is not a completed GSC project, an adopted public programme, a system-operator decision or a funding commitment.
Roadmap:
- Discover: Align operational priorities, stakeholders, assets, systems, risks and data access.
- Assess and architect: Define maturity, use cases, target architecture, standards and governance.
- Pilot and validate: Test selected use cases with acceptance, cyber, data and human-oversight criteria.
- Scale and integrate: Industrialise interfaces, operations, support, training and multi-vendor integration.
- Operate and improve: Monitor value, models, cyber posture, data quality and changing grid needs.
Expected Benefits:
- Trusted operational data
- Improved real-time visibility
- More predictive asset decisions
- Better DER and flexibility coordination
- Secure integration architecture
- Prioritised digital investment
Stakeholders:
TSOs, DSOs, control centres, asset management, operations, planning, IT, OT, cybersecurity, market teams, regulators, vendors, integrators, universities and customers.
