pwr_february-2024 - 15

DATA UTILIZATION
2. Adding more renewable energy to the
power generation mix, including solar, wind,
and hydro, requires data-driven solutions to
help integrate this generation to the power
grid. Source: Shutterstock
up interconnection requests.
Beauchamp continued, " An accurate
and holistic digital model of the grid is
essential to manage change and efficiently
plan for the future, because these
models create a foundation for utilities to
simulate various scenarios and automate
complex engineering processes. For example,
every interconnection request
requires a system impact study to establish
the upgrades needed [and estimated
costs] to support a safe, reliable electric
grid. Traditionally, this type of analysis
can take even highly trained and experienced
engineers weeks or months to
accomplish. Today, the combination of
accurate system modeling and integration
capacity analysis software tools are
helping improve efficiency and reduce
human error by allowing engineers to
run simulations and automate system
impact analysis in a matter of minutes. "
Software Platforms
Several companies, such as Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania-based Pearl Street Technologies,
and Denver, Colorado-based
Nira Energy, are developing software
platforms designed to help solve those
interconnection challenges. Pearl Street
has worked with groups such as Southern
Co. and the Southwest Power Pool to
facilitate processes and studies around interconnection.
Nira enables developers to
have insight into the methodologies used
by utilities and power grid operators when
those groups determine grid interconnection
points. Meanwhile, California-based
PXiSE Energy Solutions, working with energy
companies worldwide, provides grid
control technology for DER and renewable
energy integration.
GE Vernova's Digital business in August
of last year said it had acquired
Greenbird Integration Technology AS, a
data integration platform company focused
on utilities. GE Vernova said the
February 2024 | POWER
acquisition highlights the company's
" commitment to investing in technologies
and talent that help accelerate the
sustainable energy grid. " GE Vernova
said it would use Greenbird's technology
and data integration experts to
expand the capabilities of GE's GridOS
software portfolio for grid orchestration,
" making it faster and easier to connect
and integrate energy data across IT [information
technology] and OT [operational
technology] systems. "
At the time, Scott Reese, CEO of GE
Vernova's Digital division, said, " Utilities
have an urgent need to connect
data from multiple sources to gain visibility
and effectively automate their grid
operations. Fragmented data is a major
obstacle to modernizing the grid and is
holding the energy transition back. The
Greenbird acquisition brings the proven
ability to connect multiple data sources
tegrated data will come from the electric
vehicle (EV) segment (Figure 3). As more
EVs hit the road, the vehicles " will both
draw from and possibly contribute to
the grid as 'rolling batteries' that can be
tapped when demand is high and supply
is low. Integration of data from multiple
sources like charging stations as well as
operations, forecasting, billing, and other
systems can support the success of future
use cases such as vehicle-to-grid
(V2G) while keeping the grid safe. "
Optimizing the Power Grid
Energy analysts agree that the U.S.
power grid needs upgrades. Finding
cost-effective solutions to improve infrastructure
is a continuing challenge.
Otto Lynch, vice president and head of
Power Line Systems at Bentley Systems,
said data can be utilized to support decarbonization
of power generation, and
" Utilities have an urgent need to connect
data from multiple sources to gain visibility
and effectively automate their grid operations.
Fragmented data is a major obstacle
to modernizing the grid and is holding the
energy transition back. "
-Scott Reese, CEO of GE Vernova's Digital division
and accelerates our vision for GridOS
that is making energy security a reality
for many of the world's leading utilities.
Data and AI [artificial intelligence] are key
to helping utilities run a reliable and resilient
grid, and this acquisition is a massive
accelerant to making that vision a
reality for utilities of all sizes. "
GE Vernova said the GridOS orchestration
software platform and application
suite supports grid security and reliability,
and provides resiliency and flexibility.
The group said, " The software portfolio
uses a federated data fabric to pull together
energy data, network modeling,
and AI-driven analytics from across the
grid. " The company noted that the platform
" connects modern software like
Advanced Energy Management System
(AEMS), Advanced Distribution Management
Solutions (ADMS), and Distributed
Energy Resource Management System
(DERMS), creating new opportunities for
grid automation. "
In a practical example, GE Vernova
said the need for more connected and inwww.powermag.com
perhaps
reduce the need to retire some
thermal facilities that could still support
the electricity supply.
" A digital twin of the electric grid
could certainly lead to the complete decarbonization
of electric power generation.
However, this is not wise, " Lynch
said. " As Texas, Germany, and several
others have discovered, converting to
completely [or mostly] renewable elec3.
As more electric vehicles hit the road,
the need for more connected and integrated
data to account for the added power demand,
and to see where that demand is located, will
grow in importance. Courtesy: Greenlots
15
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_february-2024

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