Intel, Vodafone, Philips and Telecom Italia have become founding members of the Consortium on Digital Energy (CoDE).

 

The new group draws on the energy, IT and communications sectors to help develop next-generation digital energy infrastructure.

 

“Members recognize that unprecedented change is happening to the world’s energy system,” they said in a statement.

 

In the next ten to 20 years “the world’s energy infrastructure will undergo transformation similar to that which has rippled through the media and telecommunications industry,” the statement added.

 

“Grids based on massive centralized fossil fuel plants are having to integrate distributed, renewable and intermittent capacity; plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are beginning mass penetration; and consumers are demanding unprecedented control over their energy use.”

 

The result was new that types of data needed to be managed, including information on carbon footprints, on pricing and on resources.

 

“Digital Energy is about the convergence of the traditional energy, telecom and IT industries,” said Michael Liebreich, CEO of research firm New Energy Finance.

 

“Control is switching from analog to digital, and data is going to become pervasive throughout the system.

 

“We’ll be looking at key issues such as: Who owns the data? Who is responsible for making it secure? How will it be moved around or stored? Will all this be done by energy utilities, telephone companies or software companies?

 

The transition to clean energy meant a wholesale revamp of existing infrastructure and systems was required.

 

“There is no way of achieving 20% renewable energy by 2020, or 50% cuts in carbon emissions by 2050 without changing the way we distribute and control energy in the economy beyond recognition,” Liebreich said.