NORTHERN POWERGRID HOSTS FIRST NET ZERO DATA HACKATHON

The in-person event, held in Leeds on Wednesday 31 January 2024, brought together data-driven stakeholders and experts, from a range of different industries to explore how open data can be used to address the challenges of net zero.

Gillian Williamson, Head of System Forecasting at Northern Powergrid, opened the session with Paul Connell, Open Innovations' Founder and Head of Innovation, exploring how data and digitisation can be used to shape, inform and accelerate the low carbon transition.

The hackathon, aimed at bringing together people who are passionate about data and decarbonisation to deliver positive results, delved into how open data can help find innovative solutions to some of the challenges faced across the energy industry, as people accelerate their plans to net zero and build a more sustainable future.

Gillian Williamson, Northern Powergrid’s Head of System Forecasting said: “Open data provides vital information to empower stakeholders to make informed more decisions, identify opportunities to collaborate and get involved with how we can develop our network to deliver our region’s net zero ambitions.

“I’d like to thank all the stakeholders and partners who took part for demonstrating their passion to drive innovation and change across the energy industry. Working together, we were amazed at how much could be achieved in one day.

“This event demonstrates our ambition to drive forward decarbonisation through innovation, collaboration and data-driven decision making. Doing so will help us ensure our electricity distribution network is fit for the future and meets the needs of the customers and communities we serve”

Paul Connell, Founder and Head of Innovation at Open Innovations said: We're delighted to partner with Northern Powergrid to host the inaugural Net Zero Hack for Impact event. Northern Powergrid has always been pioneering in their approach to open data and embrace our radically open approach to making a difference at pace.