Consumer Data Privacy Protection in Smart Renewable Energy Systems (SRES)

Abstract

As more households and organizations globally transition to the use of digitally connected renewable energy systems, there will be increased incidences of data breaches, privacy intrusion, and cyber hacking. Therefore, any policy tool or recommendation that would be useful in mitigating these risks - associated with the use of consumer data in integrated renewable energy systems – should originate from robust, transparent feedback gathering and engagements with all relevant stakeholders. In this case, consumer data privacy protection should be at the forefront of any policy deliberations and one way to demand accountability from clean energy companies (or to ensure full compliance with existing data privacy laws) is to provide opportunities for consumers to make informed decisions on how their data is used. This capstone paper reviews existing literature such as technical journals, policy papers, and legal provisions as an attempt to evaluate consumer data privacy considerations for smart renewable energy systems in different global locations including North America and Europe.

Keywords: Smart Renewable Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, Consumer Data Privacy