How Cognite Data Fusion® speeds up the power grid connection process

Statnett, a Norwegian transmission system operator, used Cognite Data Fusion® as the industrial data platform for its company-wide data management, enabling Statnett to develop applications that give analysts easy access to contextualized data and reduce the time it takes to connect new assets to the grid.

Power system analysis is time-consuming and costly

To meet the needs of an increasingly electrified society and accelerate the shift toward renewable energy, grid operators need to be able to connect new power generation systems and consumers to the grid in a safe and efficient manner.

To process grid connection applications, grid operators conduct feasibility and impact studies to determine whether or not the grid, as currently constructed, can handle the additional load. If not, the network will need to be upgraded. These studies are time-consuming analytical tasks. Much of this process involves gathering information from different systems. That may include customer information, sensor data from the power grid, information about how other grid connection applications are progressing, and more.

Some grid operators have found that as much as half of the time it takes them to process a grid connection application is spent gathering and cleaning data. This, combined with the growth in renewable energy companies looking to connect their assets to the grid, means that it is not uncommon for grid operators to have a backlog of applications.

A comprehensive data platform with Cognite Data Fusion®

Statnett used Cognite Data Fusion® to consolidate and contextualize information from myriad source systems, including operational statuses, disconnections, generation capacities, and sensor data.

Once structured and in context with one another within Cognite Data Fusion®, this data could then be used as the foundation for Statnett’s company-wide data platform and leveraged to create an easy-to-use application that helps Statnett's analysts discover and explore all relevant data to a grid connection application. The digital solution enables users to quickly navigate through different assets on the grid and easily look up information on load, capacities, and disconnections, which can then be visualized or prepared for further analysis.

Improved efficiency, faster delivery time, increased value

With all the relevant information needed to process grid connection applications accessible in Cognite Data Fusion®, Statnett can more efficiently add new power sources and consumers to the grid, resulting in:

• $1.2 million in estimated annual value: Statnett estimates that improving how it processes applications will improve the value of its operations and services.
• Improved efficiency: Half of this figure is related to the grid operator’s own efficiency gains, as its analysts no longer have to collect and clean data from different systems. With all relevant information in one location, Statnett's grid operators can perform connection analysis 60% faster, enabling efficient integration of new power generating assets into the grid.
• Faster delivery time: The other half, societal benefits created by reducing the time it takes to connect to the grid. In cases of heavy industry or large power generation facilities experiencing delays in grid connection, the value can easily be many times higher.