Your questions? Answered

Getting Data

  • SENSE, the Smart Energy Data Service, is one of six services covering a range of datasets, funded to unlock the social value of smart data.

    SENSE, the Smart Energy Data Service, will be the national service for smart energy systems data, unlocking the value of smart data (e.g., consumer behaviour, electric vehicles, consumption, networks) to enable high-impact cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, innovation and joined-up policy solutions to the biggest sustainability, health and wellbeing and Net Zero policy challenges.

    SENSE is designed to make access to research ready smart data easier for researchers.

  • Starting at "https://data.sdr-sense.org.uk/", you can browse or search for a dataset that you are interested in. Once on the dataset page, you will see, in the top right, a button to "download" or "Request Access". Access requests are needed when a dataset is not fully Open. You will be asked questions about yourself and the project you wish to use the data for. A risk assessment will be made by the SENSE team, based on your answers, and the request granted or rejected. If granted, your view of the dataset page will change and you will be able make API calls or download a copy of the data. If rejected, you will be able to appeal.

  • Yes, if your request for access to a dataset is declined, you can appeal using the following process:

    • Submit  your appeal to sense@es.catapult.org.uk within 28 calendar days of receiving the rejection notice, clearly stating the grounds of your appeal (e.g. error of fact, misinterpretation of safeguards, new evidence of compliance).

    • The Project Co-Director, Dr. Richard Snape, will review the appeal, consulting the Ethics Board Chair or delegated members if necessary. The decision will normally be communicated within 30 working days.

    • The appeal decision will final. 

  • Creating a SENSE account will allow you to request access to safeguarded and secure datasets.

  • Yes, if a dataset is categorised as "Open", you can browse and download without needing to create a SENSE account.

  • Each dataset is assigned a visibility, ranging from "Open", "Safeguarded", "Secure" and "Hidden".

    Open datasets can be accessed by anyone using the website and have open licences. Safeguarded datasets can be accessed after an access request is approved in accordance with our application review process, require a SENSE user account and have a licence between the requestor and the Energy Systems Catapult that must be directly accepted. Secure datasets may contain sensitive information, such as personal data and therefore have additional access requirements over and above the safeguarded datasets, including requirement for proof of accredited researcher status and requirement to access data only via a Trusted Research Environment (TRE).

    Hidden datasets can only be accessed by members of the uploading organisation or users specifically granted access by the platform admin team. These datasets do not appear in any outward facing listings

  • If you have data you would like to be hosted by SENSE, please contact us at sense@es.catapult.org.uk.

Using Data

  • Each dataset page has tabs, towards the centre, offering "Content", "Metadata" and "Versions", The metadata tab will give you information on the datasets origin and structure.

    If you need to know more about a Safeguarded dataset, questions can be sent to sense@es.catapult.org.uk or an access request to view the data can be made.

  • Datasets that we host are provided with a variety of geographic identifiers, including latitude and longitude values, postcodes, Hex grid codes and census geographies such as LSOA and MSOA. Where possible, to enhance linking potential, we enhance datasets with census geography code, specifically LSOA.

  • If you find data quality issues, please contact us by emailing sense@es.catapult.org.uk. 

    We will investigate and rectify as soon as possible.

  • If you encounter an issue while using the SENSE website or have any questions, please let us know by emailing sense@es.catapult.org.uk.