Data spaces - PwC use cases

Why an Energy Data Space?

An energy data space is essential for Europe's green and digital transitions. It helps integrate renewable energy sources efficiently, boosts the overall energy system's performance, and supports the move to electric heating and transportation.

Additionally, it provides valuable insights into energy pricing across different countries.

Major EU Initiatives:

The EU aims to create a secure and shared European data space for energy, as highlighted in the European Strategy for Data and the EU Action Plan for digitalising the energy system. 

This ongoing initiative will facilitate access to data necessary for innovative energy services, helping to balance electricity grids and improve energy efficiency in buildings. It will also support the integration of renewable energy sources, aligning with the goals of the 'Fit for 55' package and the RePowerEU plan.

Why PwC?

At PwC, we are actively involved in shaping and implementing energy data spaces. Our expertise includes:

• Designing and managing data infrastructure.
• Ensuring data security and compliance.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to drive innovation.
• Providing strategic insights and solutions for energy efficiency and renewable integration.

Why a Human Resources Data Space?

A Human Resources data space centralizes and manages employee data to optimize HR operations, support data-driven decisions, ensure compliance, and enhance both employee experience and organizational efficiency. 

It can streamline processes like workday implementation and integration with payroll systems, providing valuable business insights and efficient HR management.

 

Major EU Initiative

The EU aims to create a secure and shared European data space for skills. This initiative will facilitate the sharing and access to skills data for various purposes, including analysis, policy development, and innovative applications. 

It also aims to reduce skills mismatches between education/training systems and labor market needs. The data space will offer services like personalized learning recommendations to support upskilling efforts based on individual skills profiles.

 

Why PwC

At PwC, we are deeply involved in the development and implementation of Human Resources data spaces. Our focus includes:

• Competency-Based Assessment and Management (CBAM): We specialize in designing and implementing CBAM frameworks to help organizations effectively assess and manage employee competencies, ensuring the right skills are in the right places.

• Data Security and Compliance: Ensuring that all HR data is secure and meets regulatory requirements.

• Seamless Integration: Facilitating smooth integration with existing HR and payroll systems.

• Strategic Insights: Providing actionable insights for workforce optimization and skills development.

Why an Industry Data Space?

Data sharing in the industry can drive significant growth, optimize processes, and foster innovation in new products and businesses. An industrial data space enhances the flexibility and resilience of supply chains, making companies more adaptive to market changes.

Major EU Initiatives:

The EU aims to establish a reliable and secure European industrial data space to boost the competitiveness and performance of its industry. 

Key initiatives include:

• Data Space 4.0 (2022-2024): Preparatory actions to lay the groundwork for industrial data spaces.
• SM4RTENANCE (2023-2026): Development of a neutral cross-sectoral data space.
• Underpin (2023-2025): A data space focused on the energy sector.
• Manufacturing Data Space (2024-...): Deployment of a dedicated data space for manufacturing.

Why PwC?

Whether related to supply chain optimisation, CSRD reporting or any other use case for the industry, PwC has a strong team specialised in many industries: chemicals & pharma, transport, manufacturing, defence, etc. 

PwC is an active member of the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) and pioneered the concept of data spaces for industries already in 2018!

Why a Cultural Heritage Data Space?

A cultural heritage data space enhances tourists' experiences through customized virtual guided tours and helps museums manage their digital assets easily and cost-effectively.

Major EU Initiatives:

The EU is spearheading the creation of a common European data space for cultural heritage to accelerate the digital transformation of Europe’s cultural sector. 

Key initiatives include:

• Europeana (DIGITAL, 2022-24): Deployment of an operational cultural heritage data space.
• Twin it! (2023-2024): Campaign focused on 3D digitization.
• Eureka3D, 5DCulture, DE-Bias, AI4Europeana (2024-2026): Extending the 3D and XR offer through various projects.

Why PwC?

At PwC, we are involved in the development and implementation of cultural heritage data spaces. Our focus includes:

• Linked Data Event Streams (LDES) Use Case: Utilizing LDES to enhance the management and accessibility of cultural heritage data.
• Collaboration with Europeana: Engaging with Europeana through SEMIC to support the digital transformation of cultural heritage.
• Tourism Sector Engagement: Building strong connections with the tourism sector to create synergies between cultural heritage and tourism experiences.

Why a Mobility Data Space?

A Mobility data space can enhance multimodal service offerings, optimize the network of charging stations, and monitor compliance with Low Emission Zones (LEZ). 

It will facilitate better data sharing and integration across different transport modes, making mobility more efficient and sustainable.

Major EU Initiatives:

The common European mobility data space (EMDS) supports the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. It aims to facilitate access, pooling, and sharing of data from various transport and mobility sources to create an efficient and interconnected multimodal transport system. 

Key initiatives include:

• PrepDSpace4Mobility (until summer 2023): Preparatory action to map mobility data domains and identify building blocks.
• deployEMDS (until end 2026): Deployment of an operational mobility data space focusing on traffic and urban mobility data-sharing use cases in nine cities/regions.
• Study on Data Space Governance (CEF, 1-year study, 2024): Examining data space governance and interlinking various domains.
• Deployment of the Interlinking Layer (CEF, planned 2025-28): Establishing a layer to interlink multiple data domains.
• German-led Mobility Data Space: A collaborative initiative to enhance mobility data management.

Why PwC?

At PwC, our focus includes:

• SEMIC Collaboration: Through our involvement in SEMIC, we have developed new ways for public and private organizations in Europe to exchange data while managing individual consent in a decentralized and user-friendly manner.
• Innovative Access Management Technologies: Leveraging our expertise in technologies like SOLID, we help organizations access new data sources to improve existing services or create new ones. This includes multimodal transport solutions for commuters, which can also be applied to freight and logistics.
• Data Governance Expertise: Providing comprehensive data governance solutions to ensure secure and efficient data sharing.

Why a Sustainability Data Space?

A sustainability data space aims to collect, manage, and analyze data related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. For companies, it can aid in carbon border assessments and ESG reporting by automatically collecting and reconciling data on imported goods and their carbon footprints. 

It also facilitates peer-to-peer data exchanges regarding emissions and environmental impact, avoiding the need for numerous bilateral agreements.

Major EU Initiatives:

The Green Deal Data Space (GDDS) is a key component of the European Strategy for Data, designed to support the Green Deal's priority actions. It aims to share high-value, high-quality datasets for biodiversity preservation, zero pollution, circular economy, climate change mitigation, deforestation reduction, smart mobility, and environmental compliance. 

This data space bridges the green and digital transformations, enabling industries, governments, and researchers to share high-quality, interoperable data while allowing data holders to maintain control over access.

Key initiatives include:

• GREAT (2022-2023): Foundational work for the GDDS.
• AD4GD: Research for a FAIR and integrated Green Deal Data Space.
• B-Cubed: Standardized access to biodiversity data.
• FAIRiCube: Focus on urban and regional scale data.
• USAGE: Urban Data Space for the Green Deal.
• DS4SSCC: Smart Cities and Communities data space.
• DS4SSCC-DEP: Deployment of Smart Cities and Communities data space.

Why PwC?

At PwC, our expertise includes:

• Workday Implementation: Leveraging our deep knowledge in Workday implementation to integrate ESG metrics seamlessly into organizational workflows.
• Data Governance and Compliance: Ensuring that data collection, management, and sharing comply with regulatory standards.
• Carbon Border Assessment and ESG Reporting: Using advanced data analytics to support carbon border assessments and ESG Pillar 2 reporting.
• Peer-to-Peer Data Exchange: Facilitating secure and efficient peer-to-peer data exchanges related to emissions and environmental impact.
• Strategic Insights: Providing actionable insights to help organizations achieve their sustainability goals.