The energy transition, the growing integration of renewable generation and the advance of electrification pose new challenges for the design of the transmission grid of the future. This context requires a shift towards planning tools capable of analysing a greater number of temporal variables and prospective scenarios. To address these needs, at Elewit, together with the Electrical Planning team at Red Eléctrica, we have promoted the SIROCO innovation project, integrated into the strategic focus Electricity system design for the energy transition.
The initiative has explored new analysis and modelling solutions based on open-source technologies, with the aim of developing more dynamic, configurable tools adapted to the needs of specialised teams, especially in those areas where commercial applications have limitations in terms of adaptability.
During the project, new analysis functionalities have been incorporated and the foundations have been laid for a highly configurable internal platform that makes it possible to experiment with new methodological approaches and develop specific capabilities for electrical planning.
One of the main advances has been made in grid calculation and optimisation, with improvements in the performance of linear contingency analyses (N-1) and alternating current (AC) power flows. Likewise, the effect of the Automatic Power Reduction System (SRAP) has been integrated. This system is implemented in real-time operation and has positive effects on maximising grid utilisation, operation and the integration of renewable energy. This integration makes it possible to provide a more realistic representation of the operational criteria used in long-term planning studies.
The project has also enabled progress in the development of more flexible grid schemes, through the evaluation of configurations that facilitate the modification and management of case studies. In this area, hybrid bus-branch modelling has been promoted and the foundations have been laid for the future incorporation of the node-breaker approach, a key element in the construction of digital twins.
Another area of work has been compatibility with European standards. To this end, components have been designed to facilitate the conversion and exchange of information between commonly used formats and the European Common Grid Model Exchange Specification (CGMES) standard. This work has made it possible to define a reference architecture for model exchange and prepare for its future technical consolidation.
For its part, improvements in the user experience and visual capabilities have included the incorporation of interactive maps to represent the grid and the optimisation of filtering functionalities. These tools facilitate the exploitation and analysis of large volumes of time-series data, contributing to data-driven decision-making.
Beyond the technological advances, the main value of the SIROCO project has been the creation of an in-house, vendor-independent and highly flexible knowledge base, which enables specialised teams to experiment with and validate new planning hypotheses more quickly.
With the project now completed, the results obtained provide a solid foundation for continuing to advance modelling tools and for Red Eléctrica's participation in leading European initiatives such as TwinEU and InterScada, where work will continue in areas such as digital twins and advanced tools to support system operation.