Digital twins, automation and a guide for energy communities: so is the TwinERGY framework
TwinERGY’s goal is to improve the energy market and demonstrate that a better energy ecosystem is possible. But, how are we planning to do that? Get deep insights on our new digital framework!
3 Digital Twin pioneer virtual models have hit the industry
Driving better solutions in the energy system is easier if you can test them in a virtual scenario -fed with real data- that shows any network reactions and fluctuations in real time without compromising the physical asset operations and user experience. That is why the Digital Twin technology has become the main core of our project.
Specifically, TwinERGY is currently developing three virtual models to analyse consumption data at all energy levels (consumer-building-community) and design an unprecedented human-centered Demand Response programme where every actor is represented:
The consumer digital twin predicts citizens’ consumption patterns and comfort preferences to develop a personalised strategy that allows them to achieve more sustainable and affordable energy behaviours.
In parallel, the building digital twin also provides customised feedback for home energy management aiming to preserve human comfort while optimizing energy usage.
Finally, a community digital twin is created to analyse the impact on the grid and the well-being of the individual members within the community.
This system allows TwinERGY to be used as a decision-making tool, helping to determine optimum scenarios simultaneously at three levels, while enhancing the community management plan.
Data and automation: TwinERGY’s pillars
TwinERGY will make it possible for DERs (Distributed Energy Resources as solar photovoltaics to storage or Electric Vehicles and smart appliances) to participate and compete against traditional generation in wholesale and retail markets. By developing a decentralised Transactive Energy Platform (TEP), our project connects micro-grid operators with energy companies and consumers allowing them to actively participate in energy markets by acting on the price, the demand and time of the day they consume power. The platform ensures transparency and traceability, and end-user’s privacy is guaranteed.
At the same time, TwinERGY’s interoperable ecosystem constitutes the backbone of the project’s replicability and scalability potential. Composed of different layers, at its heart lies the Core Data Management Platform where all datasets are processed in an open-source system that guarantees data privacy, integrity and transparency.
Consumer engagement to provide solutions for today’s energy challenges
The first step to foster more sustainable energy consumption is to understand consumers’ behaviours, their needs and everyday practices, by gathering and analysing their data. TwinERGY technology offers the tools and guidelines for communities to take practical steps for household power saving.
The involvement, engagement and trust of consumers in the process are critical. TwinERGY has created an ad-hoc citizen engagement framework to ensure that citizens are placed at the centre of the innovation process. The framework draws upon the Bristol Approach, and will be applied in the four TwinERGY pilot projects, helping them to plan engaging activities and envisage possible outcomes. Guidelines for diverse and inclusive participation, best practices and training materials help to apply this participatory approach in the field of energy.
In essence, digital twin intelligence helps to prove that a better energy ecosystem is possible, while collaboration and involvement of all actors makes the scenario happen.
Keep posted for the latest news on how the technology is being implemented and how citizens are getting involved!
