National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has launched a new programme to build a digital replica of the entire energy system in Great Britain.
The ESO said the Virtual Energy System will allow it to generate new ideas and insights, model solutions and predict scenarios.
National Grid said its development will begin with an open framework, with agreed access, operations and security protocols.
Over time, the Virtual Energy System will be populated by digital twins – digital facsimiles of the physical components of the energy system. The digital twins will each provide and access real-time data on the status and operation on the corresponding components and others.
National Grid said it will work in parallel with the physical assets, providing an accessible, unified, real-time view of every part of the energy system.
ESO executive director Fintan Slye said: “Great Britain’s energy system is made up of multiple component parts which combine and interact to deliver the energy we need.
“Whilst the journey towards a carbon free future has already begun, if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero target, it’s vital the whole energy industry works towards decarbonisation together.
He continued: “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.”
The programme will be launched at an industry event at the COP26 climate change summit currently taking place in Glasgow.
The ESO will also hold an online conference on 1 December, featuring panellists from Ofgem, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Energy Systems Catapult, to explain how industry parties and other stakeholders can get involved in the design and the development of the Virtual Energy System.