Image: E.ON
E.ON has used smart grid software company subsidiary envelio’s technology to build a digital twin of its power grid in Germany.
The digital twin, which covers more than a third of Germany’s distribution grid, is being used to evaluate data from 55 million network components such as cables or transformers and more than 180,000 measuring devices – and the trend is rising.
Further applications are due to be gradually implemented based on the regional requirements of the distribution grid companies within the E.ON group.
Based on the data, it is possible, for example, to process requests for grid connections of wind turbines, PV systems, heat pumps or wallboxes within seconds and respond quickly, E.ON reports.
In the last year alone, the number of grid connection requests in E.ON’s German grid exceeded 410,000.
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In addition, the model recognises where the need for grid expansion in low voltage is urgent, where sufficient capacity is available or where flexibility is needed.
Victoria Ossadnik, E.ON Board Member for Digital & Innovation, says the company’s answer to the growing complexity of the energy system is digitisation.
“The development and introduction of new IT technologies such as envelio’s digital twin requires innovative strength and the will to transform. Both are available at E.ON to such an extent that we are setting standards in Europe with cutting-edge technology ‘made in Germany’.”
In addition to the German distribution grid, E.ON uses a digital twin powered by envelio’s technology for its grids in Sweden, the Czech Republic and Poland.
envelio, which was spun out of RWTH Aachen University, became part of the E.ON Group in 2021 when the company acquired a majority share as part of its ambition to provide an open digital energy ecosystem.
The company reports more than 70 European grid operators are digitising and automating their grids with its platform and is the technology supplier of the European Union’s digital twin project in Germany.
In addition, the expansion into the USA is currently underway.
envelio CEO Simon Koopmann describes the moment as a turning point for the further development of the energy infrastructure.
“Intelligent, standardised digital solutions such as our digital twin not only enable more efficient operations, but also transform the power grid into a platform for the energy transition. The more grid operators cooperate and use common standards, the faster we will realise a resilient, sustainable and future-proof energy system.”
