Meanwhile, on the other hand, the development of information technology such as the Internet of Things and Big Data Analytics is increasing its pace. The technological development in the energy and information sector then leads to the invention of the "Microgrid Digital Twin" concept which enables the real-time monitoring and control of microgrid systems.

A Doctoral Student from Engineering Physics ITB Laboratory of Energy Management, Putu Handre Kertha Utama, explained the concept of Microgrid Digital Twin. A Microgrid is a cluster of electricity sources and loads that typically are operated, connected, and synchronized with a wide area of synchronized conventional electrical infrastructure. According to Putu, in principle, the microgrid structure is similar to the main/conventional grid (power system), only its size is much smaller.

However, not all small-scale energy systems can be categorized as a microgrid. Some power plants that are compatible with microgrid systems include wind turbines, solar panels, gas turbines, fuel cells, diesel engines, combined heat powers, and water turbines.

"So, to build this microgrid, small-scale power plant system need must meet some requirements such as having a clearly defined electrical boundary, capability to consolidate the distribution, generation, load, and storage of energy as a single entity, and can operate in islanding mode, that is to has a self-sufficiency in supplying critical whether it is connected or unconnected to the main grid," explained Putu on Tuesday (18/01/2022).

And now, Putu continued, an innovation of the microgrid system is being developed, that is the Microgrid Digital Twin. Microgrid Digital Twin can improve the work efficiency of multiple aspects of the microgrid. The development of this Microgrid Digital Twin also involved the Internet of Things and Big Data Analysis. The concept of Digital Twin is a development from the cyber-physical system. "To put it simply, the Microgrid Digital Twin is a representation of a combination of physical and digital entities in a system," he explained.

The needs for Digital Twin in Microgrid arise because the more complex a system becomes, the more maintenance and inspection it needs. Especially, some of the system assets that are not easily accessible would require a real-time remote inspection and predictive maintenance. The increasing penetration of RES into the Microgrid and the emergence of prosumers also demand accurate dynamic forecasting methods and automatic learning of prosumer behavior patterns.

Some of the technologies that are utilized by the physical entities are ERP systems, MES software, CAD models, actuator, sensor, edge processing, and edge security. Meanwhile, technologies that are being used in the Digital Twin are integration middleware, BAM software, data ingestion, cognitive engines, and artificial intelligence.

"Finally, the increasing dependence of other crucial infrastructures such as healthcare, transportation, telecommunication, and water systems on the electrical system resulted in the increasing demand for reliable energy sources with minimal disturbance and downtime," he concluded.

Reporter: Yoel Enrico Meiliano (Postharvest Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Favian Aldilla R (Civil Engineering, 2019)