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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_NGESO028
Title	Virtual Energy System – Common Framework Demonstrator
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy Models) 90%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 10%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Systems Analysis related to energy R&D (Energy modelling) 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid plc
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 November 2022
End Date	31 July 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£535,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid plc (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , National Grid plc (0.000%) Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGESO028
Objectives	"National Grid ESO proposes to lead an industry-wide initiative to enable the creation of an ecosystem of connected digital twins of the entire energy system of Great Britain - the VirtualES. This will unlock the modelling of system interactions across the energy sector. VirtualES will be an enduring programme over several years.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, including application through a tangible use case.To minimise risk to the programme, and to act on previous feedback, the use case has been defined to be small in scope. This will allow the project the space to develop the key factors of the framework while providing a narrative and benchmark for how value will be delivered. The use case in the project has an electricity focus though the learning and proposals for the framework are expected to benefit both gas and electricity.Work Package 1 - Project Management OfficeThis function will manage the budget, deliverables and reporting throughout the demonstrator through a small dedicated PMO support team.Work Package 2 – Demonstrating the common framework through the whole-system flexibility use caseWP2.1 – Data assessment and preparation: To establish which key datasets are required to be sharable across the industry with the appropriate detail, frequency and granularity required for it to be able to fill the needs of the use case. Resulting datasets to be cross checked against a parallel use case of Gas Operational Planning.Deliverables: Data needs & gaps report, and data relationships developed & tested.WP2.2 – Technology: To determine that it is possible to make energy data visible and accessible to actors across the industry through a secure and scalable solution to store shared data and modelling, verifying the results against a parallel use case of Gas Operational PlanningDeliverables: Technology review report.WP2.3 – Wireframe the demonstrator: Iteratively show how the demonstrator will be developed.Deliverables: Interoperability report, data licensing template, and data sharing assessment demonstration.Work Package 3 – Developing the common framework best practice guidanceWP3.1 – Social (socio) factors: To iterate best practice documents for each of the three priority social (socio) factors, using lessons learnt in demonstrating the use case and from industry.Deliverables: Best practice recommendation on the three priority social (socio) factors – 1) Raising awareness & fostering culture, 2) Engaging stakeholders, and 3) Creating a governance frameworkWP3.2 – Technical factors: To iterate best practice documents for each of the three priority technical factors using lessons learnt in demonstrating the use case and from industryDeliverables: Best practice recommendation on the three priority technical factors – Aligning models and taxonomies, Benefits report on the use case, and Benefits report on the common frameworkWork Package 4 – Benefits of the use case & common frameworkWP4.1 – Benefits: To commence the identification of the benefits of developing the use case and using the common framework to the system operation and planning, and ultimately the consumer and investors.Deliverables: Benefits report on the use case and benefits report on the common frameworkIn line with the ENAs ENIP document, the risk rating is scored Low.TRL Steps = 1 (2 TRL steps)Cost = 2 (>£500k)Suppliers = 1 (1 supplier)Data Assumptions = 1Total = 5 (Low) " "Identify range of assets to be representedDefine parameters required for use caseUse sample data from network partners to determine data availability and quality, available data standards, potential data licences, and relationships between objects.Agree a governance process with industryIterate on the principles of the common framework with industryPropose technical stack required to share dataDevelop a scaled demonstrator in a confined geographical areaPresent demonstrator with example scenarios to show use and scalabilityDevelop cost benefit analysis for the scaled demonstrator, including the benefits that the demonstrator hopes to achieve, and the estimated costs of the demonstratorUse experience from demonstrator and results of common framework development to perform a cost benefit analysis of wider system interoperability " "The project has three objectives: Design and wireframe the demonstrator to test core components needed to progress the use case and to show the key elements of the common framework in practice. This will stimulate discussion on future requirements for connected digital twins in the energy industry Use the learning from the demonstrator use case and discussion through advisory groups to formulate and set out the first components of the common frameworkPerform a cost benefit analysis of the interoperability provided by connected digital twins in energy sector. Present this cost benefit analysis in a way that it can be replicated for future use cases and to support investment in digitalisation "
Abstract	"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."
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	18/10/23