Ofgem has opened a consultation on a 12-month pilot for a ‘technical sandbox’ for AI applications in the energy sector.
Ofgem said the AI technical sandbox will be a safe regulatory environment with oversight, which will enable energy sector participants to design, test and evaluate AI models and datasets and understand associated risks and regulatory implications. The pilot will focus on proportionate mitigation of direct harms, building evidence on what works, and clarifying compliance with existing energy regulatory frameworks. It will also consider where the framework requires adjustment as AI advances.
Ofgem already has an AI Regulatory Laboratory (AI Reg Lab), Energy Regulation Sandbox and a Future Regulation Sandbox.
“If we get this right, AI can help lower household bills, improve reliability, support decarbonisation and strengthen the nation’s energy security. Our role is to enable responsible innovation so that energy consumers ultimately benefit,” said Akshay Kaul, Ofgem’s Director General for Infrastructure Group.
The consultation closes on 20 March. Access it here