Disclaimer: This article represent the author thoughts and views, it does not necessarily reflect his employer views.
With rapid increase in digital platforms and solutions, almost every industry is taking a plunge and betting big for bold digital future. Utilities have been traditionally risk averse and slow moving but as we see the exponential increase in the DERs to accelerate clean energy transition, these elephants are forced to run. There is a massive hype that emerging technologies and systems will greatly help in combating climate change. Systems such as DERMS, VPPs and Local Energy Markets will enable the smooth penetration, management and orchestration of clean energy resources.. BUT it only solves a piece of bigger puzzle.
The DERMS Metaverse- DERMvS:
As utilities rapidly transition to new roles and responsibilities, their shift to DSO/ TSO or RSO needs wider set of digital and operational capabilities. System of systems approach falls short, as DERMS only connects with limited systems from “operational” perspective. There is a need for broader spectrum of emerging digital technologies coming together in a meaningful way to build DER Metaverse System, the new DERMvS!
Why we need DER Metaverse?
There is fair bit of focus on bringing the physical and digital worlds together with an application of real time AI use-cases. This combination of AR, MR, VR, Edge computing, Machine Learning and AI when applied in a logical manner, helps to build a next-generation immersive DER Metaverse System, or DERMvS. Having a robust DER Metaverse ecosystem will enable utilities to transition to their new emerging roles quickly and with confidence.
DER Metaverse use-cases:
Traditional DERMS would help to solve operational use-cases like managing network constraints, controlling and dispatching, orchestrating DERs to manage voltage etc. However DER Metaverse will enable utilities to look beyond standard use cases and overlay real time network streaming data from IoT to their digital twin platform to confidently plan for non-wire alternatives, operational planning and identify optimal placement of grid-forming inverters to support the grid stability with increased virtual inertia.
DERMvS also helps in creating seamless and engaging customer experience to help them make most of their behind the meter investments. It creates single click DER onboarding, bidding in local energy markets and gamifying their interactions with utilities to help them build robust flexibility. The new Metaverse ecosystem acts as “system of actionable insights” which informs other critical systems such as ADMS, Asset Performance, Future Network Planning, EV’s management, VPP, DERMS etc.
The Metaverse ecosystem will bring cutting edge digital technologies together to solve the most complex and low hanging use-cases while optimizing the existing investments already being made.
So, what happens with traditional DERMS?
Traditional DERMS systems will continue to be part of larger DER Metaverse ecosystem, however it needs to be aware and “integration ready” with larger ecosystem where interfaces and use-cases are already identified by utilities, and DER Metaverse will help with plug & play to quickly realize the benefits, reduce costs & waste to enable the rapid clean energy transition!