The Virtual Energy System (VirtualES) will provide users across the sector with access to data and integrated modelling capabilities, to improve data-driven decision making for investments and operations. Previous research identified the need for a demonstrator to test the ability of the VirtualES common framework to create an eco-system of digital twins.
This project will provide a greater understanding of the requirements from the common framework to support the overall VirtualES. This will be achieved through a small-scale demonstration of the priority key factors applied to a tangible use case centred on whole-system flexibility, and through development of best practice guidance for building a common framework. To conclude, the project will identify benefits to system operation from developing the use case and interoperability through using the common framework.
Benefits
The benefits case of VirtualES follows a series of dependencies:
- To achieve net zero requires an integrated energy system
- Operation of an integrated energy system requires modelling of a wide range of scenarios
- Modelling a wider range of scenarios requires visibility of system behaviour and capability
- Visibility of behaviour and capability of the system, which is made up of assets owned and operated by different organisations, is dependent on data sharing
- This data sharing requires the interoperability and capabilities that the VirtualES of connected digital twins can bring
The common framework will create the common language, recommended infrastructure, and processes to connect and federate individual digital twins from across the energy sector.
Learnings
Outcomes
The following deliverables have been produced to date:
Work Packages (WP)
WP2.1: Data assessment & preparation
Data needs and gaps report
Data relationships developed & tested
This report creates the link between the functional activities required to implement the demonstrator and the data that will enable them. The report identified several recommendations that will enable and enhance the demonstrator’s impact. It has also identified broader recommendations outside of the demonstrator’s role; but should be considered by sector.
Interviews were conducted with 16 key stakeholders in the development of this demonstrator data needs and gaps assessment. This included data governance leads, architects and planning roles across both electricity and gas networks.
WP2.2: Technology
Technology review report
This report assesses, evaluates, and proposes data sharing solutions for the demonstrator. This was derived through desk-based research, stakeholder interviews, and discussions with platform providers - both within the energy sector and cross-sector. It considers the various technology options and their combination and provides recommendations on the technology architecture for both the demonstrator and the future VirtualES vision.
WP2.3: Wireframe the demonstrator
Interoperability report
Data licensing template
Data sharing assessment demonstration
This report identifies the key interactions between users, data and technology and the processes for enabling the use case; it reviews the technology required to enable the use case; and sets out a data sharing framework that can be adopted for the demonstrator.
WP2.4: Gas use case proposal
This document summarises the learning from interviews with gas SMEs and provides potential use case options that can be used to demonstrate the common framework of the Virtual Energy System (VirtualES) in the gas network.
WP3.1: Best practice guidance for Social Factors
The reports delivered in WP3.1 will describe the identified best practice in the priority social factors. In developing these reports, the proposals have been validated with industry through advisory groups and targeted engagement. The priority Social Factors include ‘Raising awareness and fostering culture’, ‘Engaging stakeholders’ and ‘Creating a governance framework’. Initial thinking in these areas was shared through the show and tells and the final reports will be shared on Smarter Networks Portal.
WP3.2: Best practice guidance for Technical Factors
The reports delivered in WP3.2 will describe the identified best practice in the priority technical factors. In developing these reports, the proposals have been validated with industry through advisory groups and targeted engagement. The priority Technical Factors include ‘Aligning models & taxonomies’, ‘Increasing visibility and enabling sharing’ and ‘Creating an interoperable tech-stack’. Initial thinking in these areas was shared through the show and tells and the final reports will be shared on Smarter Networks Portal.
WP4: Benefits
This work package has developed proposed a framework for assessing benefits of the demonstrator and of the wider framework. The methodology links the benefits to the components that make up consumer energy bills. The methodology will also help to identify where projects are targeting the same benefits and where there is an opportunity for collaboration.
Advisory Group Meetings
Data and Technology – 08-March 2023, 03-May 2023, 28-June 2023
People and Process (Regulation & Governance) – 10-March 2023, 10-May 2023, 05-July 2023
Summary minutes from these discussions are published on the nationalgrideso.com website.
Show and Tell engagement sessions
Two show and tell online events were held (30-March 2023 and 25-May 2023), each of these had an audience from across the energy sector with 40+ attendees at each event. The slides from these have been shared on the smarter networks portal.
Further communications are planned at the conclusion of the project to share the best practice guidance that has been developed.
Lessons Learnt
Strong stakeholder engagement is key to bringing co-ordination across the various data and digital twin initiatives currently in flight across the energy sector.
As part of Governance model, a new independent Orchestrator entity for coordination and conflict resolution with clear government backing was recommended to provide oversight of implementation entities, public and private sector, promote and coordinate digitalisation across the sector and sharing of knowledge
As part of the Governance model, a Common Infrastructure Operator Entity will be able to help manage and improve common energy digital tools or services created for public good.
A proposed high level technology design has been shared through advisory groups and show and tells. This includes capabilities, for example, schema validation and access controls which could be applied across a wide range of use cases.
