Open Energy Twin

The OpenEnergyTwin project aims to develop a scalable and modular real-time platform for monitoring and managing multimodal energy systems. It focuses on enhancing interoperability and integrating automation through digital twins and event-driven data processing. Key topics include seamless system deployment, integration of AI-based state estimation, event-driven data processing, cybersecurity, and user-friendly human-machine interfaces. The project will demonstrate its capabilities across multiple voltage levels and in real grid environments to ensure adaptability to future challenges in the energy sector.

The project will bring significant improvements for grid operators, energy system developers, and researchers by enhancing grid management, interoperability, and automation. For grid operators, OET will replace outdated, monolithic SCADA systems with a modular, open-source platform, enabling more efficient deployment, monitoring, and control. Operators will benefit from AI-supported state estimation, real-time event processing, and improved cybersecurity, reducing manual effort and operational risks. For developers, the microservices-based architecture allows easy integration of third-party services and rapid feature deployment. Researchers gain a flexible platform for testing and optimizing network management strategies, driving innovation in digital energy solutions. Ultimately, OET improves scalability, automation, and usability in energy management, supporting the challenges of decentralized and multimodal systems.

The expected outcomes of the OpenEnergyTwin project include the development and demonstration of an open-source, modular, and real-time capable platform for energy system management. Key results will include:

• A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) enabling automated grid monitoring, event-driven data processing, and AI-based state estimation.
• Deployment and validation of the platform in different environments, including real-world energy grids (e.g., Oldenburg and Aachen).
• Seamless integration into existing energy infrastructures, with interoperability ensured via open APIs and industry standards such as CIM IEC61970 and IEC61850.
• A scalable and adaptive architecture supporting both centralized and decentralized operating models, including cloud-based and distributed systems.
• Enhanced cybersecurity measures to improve resilience against cyber threats in critical energy infrastructures.
• A user-friendly Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that increases operational efficiency and reduces training efforts for grid operators.
• A foundation for further research and industrial use, enabling third parties and researchers to expand the platform’s capabilities.

Ultimately, OET aims to provide a flexible and future-proof alternative to proprietary SCADA systems to meet the demands of decentralized energy management and digital transformation.

Funding:

The project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) 

Partners:

• OFFIS e.V.
• IEAW an der RWTH Aachen University
• ACS an der RWTH Aachen University
• Fraunhofer FIT

Associated partners:

• E.ON SE
• ETG
• EWE NETZ GmbH
• LF Energy Foundation
• Netze BW GmbH
• openKONSEQUENZ e.G.
• PSI Software AG
• Siemens AG