Digital twin at core of new Siemens LV grid management software
The LV Insights X software has been introduced by Siemens for the active management of low voltage distribution grids.
LV Insights X, part of the Siemens Xcelerator digital platform, is designed to enable grid operators to gain full transparency over the LV grid in order to actively manage it to maximise the capacity.
With the decentralisation of renewable generation, the electrification of sectors such as transportation and new loads such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, the majority of which are connected to the distribution grids, they are coming under increasing strain.
Siemens states that with LV Insights X outage times can be reduced up to 30% and grid capacity increased by identifying critical segments.
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Integrating data from multiple sources such as geographical information systems, meter data management systems and advanced distribution management systems, a digital twin of the distribution grid can be easily created.
Referring to LV Insights X as an industry first, Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software, says that low voltage grids can become a trailblazer on the path to net zero but only if software is deployed to increase the capacity of the existing grids quickly.
“That’s why we are extremely proud to launch LV Insights X. This software enables utilities to actively manage low voltage grids to gain speed for transforming the overall energy system, make maximum use of the existing infrastructure and ultimately shape the energy transition.”
Other benefits of LV Insights X highlighted by Siemens include a breaking down of siloes across departments, stakeholders and systems, reducing data handling efforts by up to 80% and the time required for grid model maintenance by 50%.
Further, up to 25% better investment decisions may be made based on the improved planning insights on grid segments where the usable capacity may be increased.
LV Insights X is available as a software as a service (SaaS).