Digitalization of our energy systems has increased the need for a better overview of the data and their uses. At the same time, heightened data integrity and cybersecurity has become a priority. A new platform is intended to meet this need.
Energy systems are equipped with many sensors that generate large amounts of data. The sensors are important for monitoring and optimizing individual parts of the system. To date, however, there has been no systematic approach for improving the efficiency of the energy supply network taking into account the performance of the entire information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.
A new research project will link extensive knowledge of the physical energy systems, the sectors in energy production (e.g. offshore wind), and the transmission of the energy into the power grid, with the knowledge of ICT infrastructure and data lifecycles. This will create the best basis for digital transition of the energy sector.
“Our aim is to create a decision-making platform that can be used by all players in the energy industry. It will integrate data into the lifecycle of the energy system, from planning to operation and maintenance, considering the cyber-physical nature of the energy system,” says senior researcher Guangya Yang from DTU Electrical Engineering, who heads the large project.
Gaining insight into the lifecycle of the data is an essential part of the work, and requires linking up the energy and data research. It involves collecting, processing and storing data, which means cybersecurity plays an important role.
“A faster transition to more sustainable energy systems is important if we’re to reach the target of reducing greenhouse gases by 2030. The interconnected digital energy systems can help us along the way, so we want to use the platform to remove some of the barriers in the implementation,” says Guangya Yang.
Digital twin of the entire energy system
One of the paths towards the platform is digital twins, which involves creating a digital copy of reality. There are already digital twins for optimizing individual parts of the energy system, for example to develop new and better wind turbine blades. However, there is a lack of digital twins focused on system integration and interoperability, which includes the transformation of, for example, wind turbine or solar energy to be used in the power grid and distributed to the individual consumer. The new project will aim to address this.
In addition, knowledge of many other aspects will be applied to promote a more widespread use of digital interconnected energy systems. This includes, among other things, the energy policy and business area, where it may be necessary to change the current practices to make the digital transition both possible and economical.
The project is led by DTU, which heads an international consortium that includes prominent partners in the field of digital energy solutions. These are leading universities in the Netherlands, Norway, the UK, France and Italy, as well as a number of large companies and organizations such as Électricité de France, Siemens Gamesa, and Dansk Energi.
15 new researchers hired
During the project, 15 new young researchers will be given competences in energy systems, information science, and policy science.
“We look forward to hiring the young researchers in the coming months. They will be hired on the basis of the prestigious Marie Curie scholarship, so we’ll be able to attract the brightest minds,” says Guangya Yang.
The project’s very ambitious goal of creating a comprehensive platform will be supported by the publication of results along the way. The hope is to encourage both energy suppliers and utilities companies to embark on an increased digitalization of the interconnected energy systems.
When the project is completed in four years, the new platform will be published as open access so it will be available to decision makers in all parts of the energy industry.