Technology

ELEXIA will deliver various tools and systems to manage cost-effective sector integration at two levels: planning and operations. The solution proposed by ELEXIA focuses on using a digital service platform with a data lake, where data and tools can communicate.

Energy and CO2 forecasting tools

ELEXIA will introduce new methods for forecasting and communicating the forecasts. The project will present and evaluate the most appropriate methods, to ensure reliable decision-making in multi-domain optimisation.

Energy management systems

The operational management of integrated energy systems revolves around a constant stream of data, on which decisions are made. Those decisions are aided by Energy Management Systems (EMS) which require various types of forecasts. Due to the diversity in the local sites, ELEXIA will have a toolkit of EMS tools to choose from, depending on the situation.

Learning-based EMS tools:

  • DTU has developed a data-driven digital twin toolset, which combines the best of parametrically defined models and learning-based models.
  • Flexibility functions toolset is a completely data-driven tool developed by DTU, which can estimate the flexibility of a certain energy system based on operational data.

Optimisation-based EMS tools:

  • VTT will continue to develop an open-source stochastic multi-stage bidding tool (‘Predicer’) that will optimise energy system operation while considering the local energy requirements and participation in energy markets. This tool is modular and data-driven.
  • DER Aggregation Toolset (TEC) aggregates the DER flexibility to create optimised bids and facilitate solving potential congestion in the power lines/transformers and voltage limit violations.

The digital platform will include a middleware service for data retrieval and publishing, which will be used to support data streaming at more disaggregated levels at cloud and fog levels to facilitate sector coupling and flexibility.

Special attention will be given to support interoperability both in terms of common data models, as well as commercial and consumer interoperability by promoting the use of multiple carrier networks and protocols.

Moreover, the platform will address personal data protection, cybersecurity, and data rights, towards the creation of a customer-centric, secure, and trustworthy marketplace for data-driven energy services.

Once it is clear what the planning process should entail, another process will be initiated to collect high-quality data required for running the planning tools.

ELEXIA will develop a new tool called ‘SiteOpt’ with powerful capabilities to model all kinds of energy processes, transfers, and storage.

SiteOpt will be supplemented by the Frigg model, a tool that builds a bridge between the complexities in real-life processes and the planning process that must be simplified due to computational necessity.

Furthermore, models will address failure detection ability and repair time of components to determine the impact on the connected grid, by identifying deviations from default operational characteristics.

ELEXIA will conduct sustainability assessments for each pilot, utilising cutting-edge methodologies from each sustainability strain.

The assessments will use data from the ELEXIA digital services platform and the various assessment results will be reported and later used in planning decisions while considering the environmental, social, and economic aspects of an integrated energy system.

Among the operational tools, there are several energy management systems and forecasting tools. Meanwhile, planning is not under constant time constraints and, as a result, does not require real-time data flows. The planning phase will include competent, future-proof tools, considering all relevant uncertainties with high-quality data, and stress the usability and user-friendliness of the platform.

At the end of the project, ELEXIA will have a system of tools, approachable to local planners and operators in one open and modular Digital Services Platform.