National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) 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 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.
Fintan Slye, Executive Director of National Grid ESO said; “Great Britain’s energy system is made up of multiple component parts which combine and interact to deliver the energy we need…
“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.”

The development of the Virtual Energy System 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.
NGESO will 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.An industry consultation will be launched in December, and future industry events will be announced as the programme develops.

Interested parties can register for the conference here.