Data: The Power Behind Sustainable Energy Innovation

Sharing data responsibly is the key to a greener, more resilient energy future.

The energy sector is undergoing a rapid transformation. As climate targets tighten and demand for reliable, sustainable power soars, data has become a critical enabler of change. From smart grids and solar forecasting to EV fleet charging and dynamic pricing, sharing trusted data allows energy providers, businesses, and governments to move faster, optimize operations, and innovate at scale.But the real power of data lies in its potential to unlock system-wide sustainability—and open up new business models in the process.

A booming market for smart energy solutions

The global home energy management market is projected to grow from $2.28 billion in 2020 to $8.73 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 15.6%. This surge reflects a broader shift: connected devices and automation tools are becoming essential across the energy value chain—from households and commercial buildings to grid infrastructure and EV charging networks.

• Over 1 billion smart meters are in use globally today—10x more than in 2010.
• By 2030, over 25 billion connected devices are expected to provide real-time insights into energy use, system health, and infrastructure performance.

Why trusted data matters

When shared securely and responsibly, high-quality, real-time data enables tangible benefits across the board:

• Cost savings
  Digital energy management can cut annual on-site energy costs by over 10% and reduce emissions by up to 40% through better load shifting and energy efficiency.

• Improved forecasting
  Data-sharing platforms enable more accurate solar and wind forecasting. Utilities like National Grid can now better balance energy loads—delivering greener and more affordable services.

• Operational optimisation
  Smart systems balance supply and demand, improve asset performance, and accelerate the transition to renewables.

• Faster disaster response
  During Hurricane Ian in the US, smart technologies helped restore power to over 160,000 customers automatically—saving an estimated 3.3 million hours of outage time.

Smarter buildings, greener cities

Digital energy systems in buildings can cut energy use by 20–30%. AI and machine learning fine-tune usage patterns and detect issues before they escalate—preventing downtime and extending equipment lifespan.

In cities, this translates into lower emissions, better public services, and resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.

System-wide impact

• In the EU, responsible data sharing could unlock 580 GW of flexible energy resources by 2050, covering 90% of grid flexibility needs.
  
• Cross-sector digitalisation in energy, materials, and mobility could reduce global emissions by 20% by mid-century.
  
• Collaborative EV fleet charging can reduce CO₂ emissions by 15%—while slashing 85% of depot infrastructure needs.

From compliance to competitive edge

What was once a regulatory necessity is now a competitive differentiator. Energy companies that embrace open, secure data ecosystems are building new services, forming cross-sector partnerships, and delivering greater value to consumers.

And this trend is global. From Open Energy UK to Catena-X in Germany and data spaces emerging across the EU, Asia, and the US, the momentum is clear: Interoperability and trust are the future of energy innovation.

“The energy transition requires more than just technology—it requires trust. Secure data sharing is how we get there.” — Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA (International Energy Agency)

Fuel for the future.

Trust is the foundation of responsible data sharing. Without clear governance, verifiable identities, and enforceable agreements, progress simply isn’t possible. Frameworks like iSHARE make this trust operational—giving organisations full control over how their data is shared, while ensuring privacy, security, and interoperability across the energy ecosystem. 

In the race to decarbonise and digitalise, data isn’t just a resource—it’s the energy powering innovation. Those who learn to share and use it wisely aren’t just solving today’s challenges; they’re shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow. Because data isn’t just the new oil—it’s the new electricity.

Sources:

• Arcadis, “Sharing Data Across Organizations Boosts Efficiency”, Arcadis, October 2022. https://www.arcadis.com/en/news/global/2022/10/sharing-data-across-organizations-boosts-efficiency#:~:text=the%20supply%20chain
• Allied Market Research, “Home Energy Management Market by Product Type and Technology: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030”, Allied Market Research, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/home-energy-management-market.html
• International Energy Agency (IEA), “Unleashing the Benefits of Data for Energy Systems”, IEA, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://www.iea.org/commentaries/unleashing-the-benefits-of-data-for-energy-systems
• International Energy Agency (IEA), “Energy Efficiency 2021 – Executive Summary”, IEA, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-efficiency-2021/executive-summary
• International Energy Agency (IEA), “Case Study: Artificial Intelligence for Building Energy Management Systems”, IEA, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://www.iea.org/articles/case-study-artificial-intelligence-for-building-energy-management-systems
• European Commission, “Digitalising the Energy System – EU Action Plan”, European Commission, accessed on 10 April, 2025. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/eus-energy-system/digitalisation-energy-system_en#:~:text=The%20digitalising%20energy%20action%20plan,for%20EU%20consumers%20and%20companies
• Duke Energy, “Duke Energy Florida’s Smart-Thinking Grid Improves Response, Power Restoration for Customers During Hurricane Ian”, Duke Energy News Center, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-floridas-smart-thinking-grid-improves-response-power-restoration-for-customers-during-hurricane-ian#:~:text=Energy%27s%20grid%20improvements%20were%20already,power%20outages%20from%20the%20storm
• Open Data Institute (ODI), “Case Study: The Value of Sharing Data to Address Sector Challenges”, ODI, accessed on 10 April 2025. https://theodi.org/insights/impact-stories/case-study-the-value-of-sharing-data-to-address-sector-challenges/#:~:text=challenge%20in%20the%20UK%20energy,more%20affordable%20products%20and%20services
• World Economic Forum, “How Digital Solutions Can Reduce Global Emissions”, World Economic Forum, May 2022. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/05/how-digital-solutions-can-reduce-global-emissions/

Ready to be part of the energy data revolution?

Whether you’re an energy provider, tech innovator, or policy-maker, join us to explore how trusted data sharing can drive sustainability, unlock innovation, and fuel your business growth.

Contact us to discover how to get involved.