National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has launched a programme to build a digital replica of the entire GB energy landscape, creating a virtual environment to share data, model and predict scenarios that support the decarbonisation of the energy system.
The Virtual Energy System (VES) will be a digital twin of the existing physical energy system, working in parallel to enable an accessible, unified, real-time view of every part of the GB energy system.
This virtual environment will create the ability to generate insights and new ideas and model solutions to cut real-world carbon emissions, supporting the transition to net zero while delivering long-term value to industry and consumers, National Grid ESO said.
The development of the VES begins with an open framework, with agreed access, operations and security protocols.
Over time, this will be populated by existing and new digital twins – replicas of physical components of the energy system.
Each digital twin will contribute to and access real-time data on the status and operation of other elements of the system.
This layered data will generate insight, and a virtual environment through which to “innovate ideas, with the potential to transform the system and support the transition to net zero”, National Grid ESO said.
Fintan Slye, executive director of National Grid ESO, said: “As we evolve and transition to a greener future, we’ll need to respond to a range of future challenges. And how we innovate and adapt the energy system will require a range of tools, which is where the Virtual Energy System comes in – a shared, digital national asset to help optimise the route to net zero.
“This is an ambitious world-first programme, and we can’t build it alone. We need to come together, as an industry, to help turn this vision into a reality if we are to realise a sustainable energy network for the future.”
National Grid ESO will be launching the Virtual Energy System at an industry event during COP26.
It will then host a free-to-access one-day online conference on 1 December, providing an opportunity for the energy industry and wider stakeholders to find out more about the programme and how to get involved with its design and development.
Panellists include Ofgem, BEIS, Energy Digitalisation Taskforce, Energy Systems Catapult and more.