Taming unparalleled complexity
Our conventional energy systems have long been recognised as Ultra Large-scale (ULS) complex systems. As these cyber-physical-transactional systems now deeply decarbonise, however, they are becoming even more dynamic and complex.
Like the modernising aerospace sector before it, the energy sector is now experiencing degrees of complexity that exceed many of its traditional tools and approaches to systemic change.
Creating self-balancing energy systems
As one example, as variable renewable generation is deployed at scale, decarbonising electricity grids experience a level of volatility unforeseen by their original architects. This is further compounded as conventional ‘dispatchable’ generation is withdrawn because it has traditionally provided the system flexibility needed to balance supply and demand every second of the year.
Advancing decarbonised power systems that are simultaneously secure, cost efficient and customer-centric is critical but non-trivial. It will require…
Bulk power, transmission and distribution systems – and the rapidly expanding fleet of distributed resources – to be made capable of functioning far more dynamically and holistically end-to-end as an integrated, self-balancing system.
Digitalisation, interoperability, vehicle electrification, energy storage and new transmission links, for example, all have a role to play. What is often poorly understood, however, is that all these solutions, and many others, require the detailed review of the legacy structural relationships (or ‘systems architecture’) of the power system to achieve their full future potential.
Global best practice for validating options
Many complex sectors, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, defence and rail have successfully applied Systems Architecture-based tools for many years. In the context of a transforming energy sector, these practical tools support analysis of the legacy structural relationships and the validation of the most future-ready enhancements.
Energy Catalyst are some of the world’s only qualified experts in the comprehensive Power Systems Architecture (PSA) methodologies informed by almost a decade of applied research funded by the United States Department of Energy. PSA provides an integrated set of tools for taming complexity and resolving a wide range of critical issues, such as:
- How might a power system moving from hundreds to tens of millions of participating energy resources be ‘operationally coordinated’ in a manner that balances supply and demand every second of the year?
- What future system functions may be best managed centrally? Where may decentralised options best play an increasing role? What are the best options for leveraging rather than fighting cyber-physical constraints?
- How to more efficiently converge on the most credible Distribution System Operator (DSO) models, Transmission-Distribution Interface (TDI) designs, data architectures and future-ready Roles & Responsibilities?
Power Systems Architecture provides a unique, whole-system view of the seven architectural structures that constitute a modern power system2.
