The List Issue 10

The Ethical Minefield of Data Spaces: Real-Time Consumer Data

Data Spaces promise a revolution: an environment where we can share data. For example, real-time consumer information that can flow freely, with the potential, and perhaps the goal, of reaching the markets. But this convenience can potentially come at a steep ethical cost.

The American philosopher John Rawls (1921 – 2002), argued in A Theory of Justice (1971) for a "veil of ignorance" – a hypothetical situation where decisions are made without knowing one's own social position.  Data Spaces could shatter this veil. Imagine a world where your finances, health data, and browsing history determine your access to loans, insurance, or even job opportunities. This algorithmic discrimination could exacerbate social inequalities.

Another concern is privacy. While Data Spaces anonymise data, who defines anonymity? Can anonymised data be truly untraceable, especially with powerful machine learning algorithms? Consumers must have clear control over their data and be able to easily opt-out of these markets.

Transparency is paramount. Consumers deserve to know how their data is being used, with whom it's being shared, and for what purposes.  Furthermore, clear regulations are needed to prevent data misuse and ensure responsible data governance.

Data Spaces hold immense potential, but only if built on a foundation of ethical considerations. We must prioritise privacy, fairness, and transparency to ensure this technology empowers, rather than exploits, consumers.

Laurent Schmitt, guest in this week’s EU Energy Projects Podcast (yes, we changed the name again so that it’s easier to find) mentions the need for transparency when it comes to Data Spaces.

Speaking of the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, we’re excited by future episodes that you don’t want to miss. 

Let us know what you think.

Cheers, Areti

Project EDDIE is the first data space to bring real-time consumer data into European energy markets. In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti is joined by Laurent Schmitt, who represents Project EDDIE, to discuss the importance of robust EU regulations in data protection, cybersecurity, cost efficiency, as well as Europe’s competitiveness in cloud and data spaces compared to China and the US. Listen to the podcast here: link

Interoperability Framework in Energy Data Spaces

A position paper presentation by Dr. Venizelos Efthymiou at the EU Projects Zone at Enlit Europe 2023. The purpose of this paper is to define a framework for achieving technical and semantic interoperability between data spaces in the energy domain. Read the full paper presentation here.

RESPONDENT – harnessing space data for renewables integration and smart grids

The RESPONDENT project aims to leverage space-based Earth observation data to promote the integration of renewables into Europe’s power grid, writes project communication manager Benjamin Moore. Find out more about RESPONDENT here: LINK

CyberSEAS project: Protecting EPES from shifting cybercrime tactics

The digital transformation of energy, with its real-time monitoring and control systems, promises not only efficiency but also increased vulnerability. The CyberSEAS project aims to address this challenge by bolstering the resilience of energy supply chains against increasingly complex cyberattacks, writes Mihai Mladin, Head of R&D&I department within Romanian Energy Centre. Read more about the CyberSEAS project here: LINK

EU Commission News

EU nuclear energy policy – why it matters to us all

Nuclear power generated just over a fifth (21.8%) of the EU’s electricity in 2022, with 12 EU countries currently including it in their energy mix. Although the decision of where to supply energy from is for each EU country to take, EU nuclear energy policy is relevant to all citizens across the EU. here.

New network code on cybersecurity for EU electricity sector

The European Commission has today adopted the first-ever EU network code on cybersecurity for the electricity sector. It will support a high, common level of cybersecurity for cross-border electricity flows in Europe. here.

📌Brussels event alert!

The Smart5Grid Project proposes a novel approach for edge-cloud computing in the energy industry, to allow System Operators, technology providers, system integrators and software developers to implement their cloud-native applications in the edge and unlock the potential of 5G digital communication layer. As the project is approaching its final stage, you are kindly invited to their final event in Brussels on the 9th of April. This event will bring together all the relevant actors of the energy industry digital value chain to illustrate the project results, the feedback from their platform users, lessons learned and possible future developments.

Please, reserve your participation by registering at this link: https://forms.gle/gNqtBJTh8pt18xpt9