There are many reasons countries around the world have pledged to switch to low-carbon energy.

Several factors, chief among them climate change, have prompted countries around the world to pledge to switch to low-carbon energy.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), at least USD 95 trillion of energy investments are planned worldwide before 2050.

Why switch to a low-carbon grid?

The four key driving forces behind the shift to low-carbon energy generation are:

• The increasing scarcity and cost of natural resources

• The window of opportunity to tackle climate change is closing

• The world’s population is getting wealthier and more urban, and demand for products and energy-intensive lifestyles is only set to rise

• Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing entire sectors as we move into the post-digital era

As a result, we’ve witnessed a new generation of businesses coming to the fore that aim to profit from what’s being dubbed an ‘energy revolution’.

Their shared trait? Flexibility.

Low-carbon businesses are not defined by whether they are private or publicly owned, their business models are flexible so they can pivot to meet evolving customer needs.

Competition amongst these businesses is set to result in cheaper, more efficient energy that’s driven by sustainable profitability, all while creating increased value for consumers.

The role of international standardization

There are multiple ways in which standards can support governments and businesses to embrace a fully flexible grid.

Firstly, standardization aids in spreading best practices. It ensures that all the different stakeholders working on a certain product (such as wind turbines, for example) are connected, and, most importantly, tied into the wider network of international standards.

If UK businesses want to export their products, standards must be considered from an early stage to ensure they are viable for the global market.

Secondly, standards such as BS EN ISO 44001 Collaborative business relationship management system, are an important consideration for interoperability. As flexible, agile, energy businesses establish themselves, it’s vital they can operate with each other.

Therefore, if a consumer decides to switch providers, or wants to change their energy system, standards can make this process much easier. That’s why coordination between different factions is of vital importance.

For example, BSI is collaborating with The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) on The Energy Smart Appliances (ESA) program. The aim is to draft a set of standards that will facilitate the uptake of safe, secure, and interoperable of ESAs.

Two Publicly Available Specifications have already been created and are available to download for free:

• PAS 1878 details the requirements and criteria necessary to make an energy-smart appliance compatible with DSR activities

• PAS 1879 sets out a common definition of demand-side response (DSR) services for actors operating within the consumer energy supply chain, and recommendations to support the operation of energy-smart appliances

To read more about Energy Smart Appliances, click here.

Barriers to achieving a fully flexible grid

Sometimes, rapid innovation is a victim of its own success. John suggested taking a cautious but positive approach toward standardization – one that facilitates, rather than blocks.

Furthermore, flexible grid construction relies heavily on the level of electricity demand, which in turn relies on the uptake of electric vehicles, energy efficiency measures, and heating.

Another factor is digital transformation and Industry 4.0. It looks likely that artificial intelligence (AI) systems will run the energy networks of the future. If this is the case, it’s essential that all smart systems remain secure against cyber threats. Standards, such as BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 Information security management system, can help energy organizations keep their information assets secure from cyberattacks.

Businesses also need to hire employees with the necessary skillsets to manage complex data and communication technologies, making the transition from core engineering to data engineering software skills.

Is your organization ready for the energy revolution?

The energy industry is entering an exciting, challenging period of development.

Demand for flexible and sustainable sources is now at its peak, and all national plans should be designed to align with the global energy agenda.

It’s no longer a question of if the UK will fully embrace the low-carbon economy. Rather, how efficiently we can manage the transition. Standards are set to play an important role in this vitally important change of direction.

Prepare your energy organization for the demands of tomorrow by adding these standards to your collection today.

Discover BSI Knowledge

Want to access and manage the standards you need to support your development of the future energy grid - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need to work confidently and optimize the energy supply chain. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to a pre-built module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.