Using assurance frameworks to manage the risks and uncertainties of an energy sector digital spine

Abstract The energy transition requires a profound transformation of the entire energy system. The adoption of diverse, distributed renewable energy sources into the energy mix requires many assets, actions, stakeholders, and decisions to communicate with each other. The digital spine can serve as the energy system's connective tissue, enabling secure data sharing and enhancing visibility across all energy stakeholders. This will promote collaboration, innovation, and informed decision‐making within the UK's energy sector. However, significant risks accompany this shift, including data quality and security, organisational readiness, and the complexity and scalability of the digital infrastructure. This report will discuss these risks and suggest mitigation measures to promote trust in the digital spine. Only by achieving stakeholder buy‐in through trust of the digital spine will this digital technology achieve widespread acceptance. Digital assurance helps to generate an ecosystem of trust built on transparent arguments about consequences and uncertainty for digital technologies, such as the digital spine. DNV believes that their suite of recommend practises can help to mitigate risks relating to the digital spine. The report concludes by outlining the next steps towards realising a digital spine, emphasising the role of independent assurance frameworks in achieving this goal.