Data Science Regulation: A Source of Competitive Advantage for Romania
The stringent need to regulate the Data Science domain in Romania, as well as to create a methodological framework focused on data transparency and democratization were the main conclusions of the debate Data Science in Energy, event organized for the first time in Romania, by the Chairman of the Committee for Industries and Services, Sandor Bende, together with deputy Oana Ozmen and Think Tank 360. There were also discussions on the efficiency of using data as a source of competitive advantage for Romania, in the context where digitization, process automation and data-based innovation will bring huge benefits for citizens.
“Romania can become a data science hub if we manage to draw up the related legislation by transparent consultation with the private environment, specialists in the field, academia, and non-profit organizations. We must also consider concrete measures to boost the number of specialists for the entire field of information technology and communication, on the one hand, and on the other hand improve the training of the existing and potential human resource,” said Bogdan Ivan, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for information technology and communications.
For his part, the President of Transelectrica’s Executive Board, Gabriel Andronache, raised the issue of the European data strategy, adopted by the European Commission in February 2020, which aims at creating a real single data market and turning Europe into a world leader in the agile data economy. “Romania, as a Member State of the European Union, has the advantage of having, through this strategy, an overview of the opportunities provided by the digital era we live in. As such, we should take concrete steps so that we are not taken aback by the technological advance. Data use in a safe and reliable manner can facilitate innovative solutions and support the decarbonization of the energy system”.
Aspects related to the need to regulate and the importance of data in the energy sector were also pointed out by the CFO of Electrica Group, Stefan Frangulea. “While so far, the energy sector hasn’t always addressed primarily the aspects relating to digital transformation and data use for making important and informed decisions, now the European legislation forces us to pay a closer look to technological progress. At Electrica Group level, the development strategy has been revalidated, a strategy which places great emphasis on digital transformation of business, so that we became aware, on the supply side, of the importance of data to be able to make forecasts and anticipate market price evolutions in a context of increased volatility, as it has happened lately, and on the distribution side, of the existence of three major trends – decarbonization, decentralization and digitization. To be able to cope with the future challenges, decisions must be made and assumed based on the trends identified and justified by data analysis”.
Artificial intelligence and data science have become an area of strategic importance, with the potential of become a key factor of economic development. Data availability is essential to generate more sophisticated information and forecast techniques, designed to lead to making much more efficient business decisions.
“The data science issue has become central to all levels and areas of activity, and the developments of the past few years confirm that it has not remained at declarative level, but concrete steps have been taken at EU level, which must also be accelerated in Romania, by drafting the specific legislation, introducing the profession of data scientists and, last but not least, efficiently managing data security and transparency,” mentioned Andreea Negru, President of the Association for the Development of Local Entrepreneurship ADAA and moderator of the debate Data Science in Energy.
Data exchange within the sectors of the economy requires a framework of interoperability of procedural and legislative measures in order to increase confidence and improve efficiency.
Oana Bucur, Task Force Leader Digitization within the Oil and Gas Employers’ Federation (FPPG), has stated: “We look with confidence and optimism at the applicability of Data Science in the oil and gas industry. However, in order to create competitive advantages using big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, the industry needs legislative updates in line with the European trends”.
Data is an essential source of economic development, stimulating gains in terms of resource productivity and efficiency in all the economic areas, facilitating the development of customized products and services, and improving policy development and modernizing public services.
The following attended the debate Data Science in Energy: Zoltan Nagy-Bege – ANRE, Silvia Vlasceanu – HENRO, Daniela Daraban – ACUE, Petru Ruset – Siemens Energy Romania, Gabriel Andronache – Transelectrica, Oana Bucur and – FPPG, Gabriel Dumitrascu – energy expert, Stefan Frangulea – Electrica Group, together with representatives of the private environment and non-profit organizations: Costin Postoiu – Energy Policy Group, Horia Mihalcescu – Pentagon M&R, Andreea Ionita Cirebea – EON, Vlad Zamfirescu – IBM, Valentin Ene – E-ARC, Victor Vevera – Director ICI Bucharest and officials of the Romanian Parliament: Bende Sandor, Oana Ozmen – Committee for Industries and Services, Anca Dragu – Committee for Budget and Finances, Bogdan Ivan – Committee for Information Technology and Communications and George Cristian Tuta – deputy.
Event partners: Association for the Development of Local Entrepreneurship ADAA, Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience (E-ARC), ROMGAZ, Transelectrica, Oil and Gas Employers’ Federation (FPPG), Transgaz, Energy Policy Group, HENRO, Alert24, Lotus Cosmetics, DO Security, Wolters Kluwer Romania, Enayati Medical City, EON, Business Watch, Data Booster, Sustainable Romania, ICI, Electrica Group, ASPES, Pentagon M&R.
Media partners: TVR, Euronews, AGERPRESS, MediaUno Group, Energy Industry Review, Focus Energetic, InvesTenergy, Ziarul News, Ziarul BURSA, Dream Big Media, Financial Intelligence, QMagazine, Economistul, Energy Center, Business Review, Club Economic, The Diplomat Bucharest, Energynomics, Money.ro and EM360.
