Understanding disruptive powers of IoT in the energy sector (Power2)
Power 2 delivers a roadmap for tackling socio-technical challenges on the security and privacy of IoT in the governance of the energy sector.
IoT is expected to play a major part in the ongoing transition of energy systems. With the possibility of new actors, tariffs, appliances and relationships, IoT could disrupt the energy market – whether for the better or worse.
The notion of “disruption” should not be taken for granted – IoT’s success relies on software developers’ assumptions as well as regulatory requirements with regards security, privacy and data sharing. What arrangements are “good enough” to make IoT work? What are the social implications of these arrangements? What are the regulatory gaps resulting from development of IoT? How do we facilitate development of responsible innovation where IoT is aligned with policy goals of decarbonisation, affordability and security?
Previous research on IoT in energy focuses on appliances, consumers and emerging technologies. So far, there has been little focus on IoT in energy organisations and interactions between them. Without critical social science research on the disruptive powers of IoT to security and privacy of energy markets, there is a risk that energy innovation will not be aligned with public interest.
The researchers will deliver reports on the future of current policies like Network and Information Systems Security Regulation and proposed regulations to consumer IoT security, and will engage with stakeholders in the field to inform current initiatives.
Project outputs
The project published a briefing on How to Talk about Cybersecurity of Emerging Technologies, aimed at anyone interested in cybersecurity in the context of emerging technologies and board level executives in the energy sector: operators of essential services, start-ups, digital services providers, licenced entities, generators, etc and other companies offering energy- related services and products.
This report will help you with a successful digital transformation by:
- Outlining the role of cybersecurity in energy innovations
- Advising how to start conversations about cybersecurity without
the technical jargon - Providing prompts for discussions for you and your technical teams
Download the briefing here.
Key stakeholders from government and industry attended an online roundtable event on Tuesday, 26 April 22 to discuss the outcomes of this briefing.
Find out more about the project in this cybersecurity artwork by Oliver Dean.