The TOTEM network innovation project NIA_SHET_0045 has developed a comprehensive PSCAD/EMTDC model of Great Britain's National Electricity Transmission System (NETS) to manage the transition towards high inverter-based generation, including wind and HVDC, aiming for Zero Carbon Operation by 2030.
Facing challenges in sharing confidential data for Grid connection studies, a new tool is proposed. This tool would allow vendor plant owners to connect their proprietary models at designated points for EMT studies without accessing sensitive network data. It would facilitate multi-vendor participation, secure data sharing, and reduces reliance on non-disclosure agreements, streamlining the process for grid connection studies.
This innovation enhances network stability, accelerates model validation, and supports the integration of renewables, benefiting operators, OEMs, and the broader energy sector.
Benefits
The proposed Grid Connection simulation tool (GridConnectX) could offer a potential solution where the entire Great Britain Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) network model remains hidden from external parties such as plant owners, consultants, and academics. Users will be granted access only to a designated connection point where they can integrate their own plant models for conducting EMT studies.
By implementing this tool, it ensures the confidentiality of the wider network data while still enabling users to perform rigorous system analysis. It streamlines the process for grid connection studies by removing the need for extensive non-disclosure agreements with Users, thereby speeding up the approval process for new connections. Also, this tool could offer key benefits includes - enhance the EMT model quantity, early problem identification and mitigation, cost and time saving during the connection process for the users.
Learnings
Outcomes
- The project has so far delivered the foundational elements required for a secure Grid Connection Simulation Tool (GCST) and has progressed the concept from feasibility assessment into proof-of-concept development.
- Through WP1-WP3, the project established the proposed cloud-based PSCAD infrastructure, defined the hardware, software and compiler requirements for current and future NESO models, and developed a security and collaboration framework to allow controlled third-party access without exposing confidential network or OEM data. These outputs were documented in the WP1-WP3 report, “Technical Note – PSCAD Cloud infrastructure for GCS tool”.
- In addition, WP4 has demonstrated co-simulation between two machines and confirmed accurate signal transfer between virtual environments, providing early evidence that the concept is technically viable for segmented EMT studies and can support future scaling to a wider NESO system application.
- The NESO and teams have engaged in bi-weekly collaborations to discuss WP5 and WP6 progress, which resulted in development of GCST tool and testing in partner’s Azure premises. Demo of the tool is planned for May 2026.
Lessons Learnt
The key learning for future projects is that the innovation project should consider additional testing required to be carried out for the implementation of output tools obtained from innovation. These additional tests should be carried out as early as possible in the targeted operational environment, particularly where infrastructure, access control and security requirements are significant.
This project also shows that secure collaboration and confidentiality controls need to be designed alongside the technical architecture rather than added later. A phased delivery model—moving from feasibility assessment to proof of concept, then accessibility, automation, scaling and validation—has helped reduce risk and should be retained for future simulation and data-sharing projects.
Finally, close coordination between innovation teams, IT/security functions and future implementation owners is important to accelerate productionisation and avoid delays at the point of handover into business-as-usual delivery
