A new offshore energy taskforce is launching today with the aim of creating a “digital and data strategy” that spans renewables, oil and gas.
The Offshore Energy Digital and Data Strategy taskforce is being launched by the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) and trade body OGUK.
Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult are partnering to run the new taskforce.
The initiative will bring together a range of participants that include the Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, the Technology Leadership Board and RenewableUK, to “encourage a modern, digitalised and integrated sector”.
The UK target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, places “significant obligations” on the offshore energy sector to accelerate the deployment of alternative energy vectors, such as hydrogen and offshore wind, as well as carbon capture and storage.
At the same time, the sector is continuing to reduce emissions across all existing manufacturing, construction, operational and decommissioning endeavours.”
Nic Granger, director of corporate, OGA said: “I am pleased to chair the Offshore Energy Digital and Data Strategy taskforce.
“Data is a critical asset and digital solutions powered by quality data will enable us all to understand the wider energy system.
“Data will unlock the potential for energy transition projects and support a more environmentally sustainable oil and gas industry.”
Yonna Vitanova, senior policy analyst, RenewableUK, added: “Renewable energy is taking us further and faster towards net zero emissions than anyone expected.
“Integrating a wide variety of clean energy sources and maximising the benefits they offer will speed up the transition to a more dynamic system.
“Improving the digital landscape with an Offshore Energy Digital & Data Strategy will help identify the actions which are needed in order to get to net zero as efficiently as possible.”
The taskforce will consider themes developed in the Energy Data Taskforce that was run by the Energy Systems Catapult during 2019, which drew on input from over 300 people across the whole energy system, including data visibility, infrastructure and assets visibility and market opportunities.