Plexigrid provides a grid centric flexibility management system that enable DSOs to deliver more energy to customers with less investment in new infrastructure, connect more renewable generation, improve power quality and improve security of supply.
The Plexigrid products enabling the transformation are deployed in a modular way on top of our advanced real time Digital Twin platform. The AI powered platform provides the essential abilities required to deliver high performance, secure and reliable solutions for grid management. It seamlessly integrates the three core capabilities of Plexigrid: Visibility, Grid Analytics and Flexibility Control with the existing DSO systems.
The Plexigrid products Ari, Tatari and Tia leverages this powerful platform to empower Distribution System Operators with holistic tools for next generation distribution grid management. We connect network planning, network operations and maintenance with flexibility pools throughout the grid down to low voltage behind-the meter assets.
The Grid's Virtual Playground
Plexigrid's Digital Twin
A Digital Twin of the electrical system not only allows you to have a replica of the current state of the actual physical grid, but also to analyze situations in the past and simulate different scenarios of the future based on historical information. Using load flow analytics, the digital twin can predict grid behaviour and anomalies also where there are no measurements available.
The power of a Digital Twin becomes obvious when used for integrated analytics across planning and operations. The same analytics capabilities can for example be useful to analyze new connections, simulate impact of activating flexible connections in operations and minimizing customers out of service during maintenance.
The Plexigrid Digital Twin combines analytical and AI models to support customers with varying level of detail and accuracy of data.
Optimization of network behaviour and capacity by providing real-time visibility and forecasting of DERs and customer loads, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Simulation of future scenarios is key for decision-making in flexible networks. Grid and capacity analytics aid new connections, long term planning and grid optimization.
Activation of market based services, flexible connections and controlling DERs will be crucial to manage grid capacity. Plexigrid supports multiple methods to access flexibility for a robust and future-proof grid.
Three Core Capabilities that Enable the Transformation
Plexigrid’s real-time Digital Twin equips grid operators with three core capabilities essential for managing today’s increasingly complex distribution network.
Running the electricity grid closer to its limits would not be possible without equipping grid operators with new tools capable of the task at hand. First, it is imperative to have full visibility of what is going on all the way down to end customer in the low voltage grid. Secondly, it's not possible to be proactive without having the analytics to anticipate future grid behavior. And thirdly, active management of grid capacity requires access to controllable load and generation.
The Digital Twin integrates these three capabilities into one powerful platform, providing a solution for analysis and decision-making that cuts across the traditional silos of planning, monitoring, and management of the network.
Explore the three capabilities in the interactive graphic!
Ensuring Data Quality
Running the grid closer to its limits is raising the bar for data quality
Without the proper quality of input data, advanced grid applications will never be able to deliver the expected results. Increasing system complexity and degree of automation of grid management raise the bar for what can be considered adequate data quality and availability. At the same time all applications don't demand equal data granularity, quality and latency. For example, the needs of long-term planning applications differ a lot from mission critical real time operations.
At Plexigrid we implement tools that ensure you can maximize the business value of the data you have available. And our hybrid AI and analytical methods enhances your data to the next level, propelling you towards the future of grid management.
Grid Model Quality Assurance
All network models experience faults and data inconsistencies such as unintentional loops and islands. The root cause of these problems could be a field team carrying out work and no uploading the latest status into the GIS system. While some errors can be detected right away and corrected, some can go unnoticed for months or years. This app validates the grid model at every new update to make sure Plexigrid applications are running with accurate data quality.
Feeder and Phase Detection
Single phase residential customers are connected at 220V between phase and neutral within a four wire 400V three-phase system. Not all utilities have documented to which phase and feeder the customers and smart meters are connected. This app helps utilities to create an inventory of what is exactly connected between each pair of phases in each of the three-phase conductors.
Synthetic Grid Models
In the case when there simply is none or only a very patchy grid model available for an area, synthetic grid models is a great way of embarking on low voltage visibility. A synthetic grid model is generated based on a minimal set of information, such as customer and substation locations. By building on this as a base, gradually enhancing the model, new business values can be unlocked.
Integrating the System
Organizations face challenges integrating diverse systems with unique data formats and protocols. Plexigrid helps distribution network operators by simplifying information usage, modernizing operations, and maximizing data value. Its core is a modern, modular integration methodology that seamlessly connects with a customer's Data Service Layer or individual data systems.
This architecture offers several benefits, including:
Reduced dependence on a single provider.
Streamlined changes and development of the application landscape.
Ensured data accuracy and integrity.
The Plexigrid platform's real-time Digital Twin creates a virtual grid replica using network data. It enhances intelligence without extra hardware, integrating data from siloed systems to provide business insights.
Data required to build the Digital Twin includes:
Provides geographical data, electrical characteristics, and connectivity for load flow simulations.
Offers low-voltage situational awareness at the customer level.
Collects traditional measurements and grid status from high and medium voltage levels.
Provides additional low-voltage monitoring at the substation or feeder level.
The Plexigrid platform is cloud-native but versatile, supporting deployment in private or public clouds or on-premises hardware. Each implementation offers unique benefits, depending on organizational needs. The Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model provides a cost-efficient solution with rapid deployment, continuous maintenance, and access to new features as they become available.
