DCC has won the 2024 Forrester Technology Strategy Impact (TSI) Award for its high-performing IT strategy, which was recognised as a ‘shining example’ for its exceptional alignment with wider business goals, its ability to adapt and the foundation of trust it has created.
Through a relentless focus on network performance, security and reliability, the Technology function has played a key part in the shift from a programme-focused organisation tasked with building the smart metering network in 2013, to the robust, scalable, flexible network we see today, which now has over 80 million connected devices.
The DCC’s story began when it was granted the licence to operate by the Government back in 2013. The network went live in 2016 and the first SMETS2 interoperable smart meter was connected in 2017.
In 2015 the Government decided to move older, first-generation smart meters onto the DCC network; these meters were installed before the DCC network was created and were not designed to be interoperable. With thousands of device model combinations, connecting to a digital spine of service provision, this has been one of the most complex and technically challenging undertakings for the DCC, but as of September 2024, the DCC has successfully migrated 12 million of the first generation SMETS1 meters onto the network, with work underway with its partners to migrate the remaining meters ensuring consumer benefits are delivered across the SMETS1 and SMETS2 estate.
As a major infrastructure upgrade involving tens of millions of households and small businesses, it has not been without difficulty, Mike said: “It’s true to say that we have had to overcome significant technological challenges along the way, and as our network has grown, the volume and complexity of data has increased significantly – now transporting over 2 billion messages from 80 million devices each and every month.”
“As a valued national asset and the digital backbone of the GB energy system, the DCC often participates in government and industry-led innovation projects to identify additional use cases for the smart metering network, which could accelerate decarbonisation and drive social good,” said Mike. “The reach, scale and inherent security of our network offers a platform for policy implementation, and we will continue to transform and adapt our services in order to respond to these new challenges and deliver enhanced value for our customers and energy consumers.”
Mike concluded: “It’s a privilege to lead a team that is turning a vision into reality. The DCC is a platform for policy implementation, and within the Technology function we are ensuring that the DCC is future ready, and available to accelerate our decarbonisation journey. We are creating a smarter and more flexible DCC that not only securely connects every home, delivers outstanding service, but also unlocks future innovation to drive consumer benefits. This is why I'm uber proud that these efforts are recognised by this prestigious award from Forrester”
Winners will be interviewed at Forrester’s Technology & Innovation Summit, held in London on 9-11 October.
7 min read
23.09.2024
