GEODESIC BY DESIGN LTD

A key benefit of the geospatial approach is its ability to aggregate data from multiple sources into a coherent operating picture, enabling evaluation and analysis based on that integrated view.

Data quality can benefit from this approach. Issues in respect to the spatial integrity, consistency and coherence of datasets become visible when data are compared against one another. For example, the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), are accredited official statistics and an essential source of energy information for UK energy policy, but a spatial comparison reveals that a significant proportion of the data points are mis-located, with a potential knock-on effects for policy decision making.

GOV.UK also publish accredited official statistics for Solar photovoltaic panels deployment and the common operating picture of UK power infrastructure presented here also provides a potential method of external verification for these statistic. Open Street Map represents a 'crowd-sourced' approach to data verification, where the location of solar voltaic panels is provided by the public. Remote sensing methods, particularly those enhanced by AI also provide the potential for additional verification by providing methods whereby the automated extraction of photovoltaic panel from satellite imagery can also be undertaken. (Example reference 1, Example Reference 2)

The UK power common operating picture map will continue to evolve as more dataset are identified and verified, and as more spatial analytic methods are tested and deployed. Watch this space.