Image: Buro Happold
The National Energy and Environmental Data Specification (NEEDS) project aims to provide a standardised approach to digitising of energy and environmental masterplanning in GB.
The project, which was commissioned by the five local net zero hubs in England and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is planned to streamline and support infrastructure planning across Great Britain.
Local authorities in Britain are facing increasing pressure to develop and deliver both local growth and net zero target-based strategies.
When published, NEEDS will be available to them equipping them with the tools and guidance to commission and manage digital infrastructure spatial decarbonisation plans.
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From smart local energy systems to transport and community decarbonisation, NEEDS should help local authorities across the UK make informed, future-ready decisions, according to a statement.
“This isn’t just a consultancy project – it’s a central government initiative designed to empower local authorities with the tools and confidence they need to get planning right,” commented Phil Proctor, director from the energy team at the engineering consultancy Buro Happold, which is leading the NEEDS development.
“Ultimately, the NEEDS initiative is set to become a cornerstone of infrastructure planning in the UK, offering clarity, consistency and confidence to councils as they work toward a low carbon future.”
A core component of the project is its focus on data governance to enable navigating issues such as GDPR compliance, data licensing and sharing permissions and ensuring that plans are not only effective, but also legally sound.
To ensure the specification is robust and market-aligned, the project team has partnered with leading digital twin providers Advanced Infrastructure Technology and IES, as well as the Data Communications Company (DCC), which oversees smart metering.
A broad stakeholder engagement process also is underway, involving regional energy system planners, the new energy investment body GB Energy and other key players.
The project is already being integrated into proposals for local area energy plans, with the early trials intended to help shape the final specification.
The net zero hubs are aimed to support local authorities to develop net zero programmes and cover the North East and Yorkshire, North West, Midlands, South West and South East of England.
