  We have designed a two-stage, 10-step process to give organisations a method
to analyse small local energy systems (SLES) projects based on their Cyber
Physical System components in order to develop future-proof energy systems.
  SLES are often developed for a specific range of use cases and functions, and
these match the specific requirements and needs of the community, location or
site under consideration. During the design and commissioning, new and specific
cyber physical architectures are developed. These are the control and data
systems that are needed to bridge the gap between the physical assets, the
captured data and the control signals. Often, the cyber physical architecture
and infrastructure is focused on functionality and the delivery of the specific
applications.
  But we find that technologies and approaches have arisen from other fields
that, if used within SLES, could support the flexibility, scalability and
reusability vital to their success. As these can improve the operational data
systems then they can also be used to enhance predictive functions If used and
deployed effectively, these new approaches can offer longer term improvements
in the use and effectiveness of SLES, while allowing the concepts and designs
to be capitalised upon through wider roll-out and the offering of commercial
services or products.
