Alva supports distribution grid operators to transition towards a smarter grid and to accelerate the energy transition
Creos, the leading Distribution System Operator (DSO) in Luxembourg, recently announced the successful deployment of ALVA, a smart grid AI Twin. This milestone comes after years of joint development with DataThings, a company specialising in the creation of digital twins and AI solutions, founded by former researchers from the SNT-University of Luxembourg. It is also a major step forward in Creos’ commitment to improving the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of energy distribution and management.
Paradigm shift in energy distribution system
The energy transition – driven by the need to integrate renewable energies, like solar panels or wind energy, a growing number of electric vehicles and heat pumps – is putting an increasing pressure on today’s electrical grids, especially on low voltage grids. Managing and ensuring an effective energy distribution is becoming extremely challenging. Having a reliable view of the state of the grid and making informed predictions is becoming increasingly complex in the current changing paradigm of electricity use.
This makes it necessary to transition towards a smarter, more efficient and more reliable smart grid of tomorrow. The backbone of this effort is the increasing digital transformation, where data becomes key and modern information and communication technology is converging with operational technology. To support this transition, Creos and DataThings developed the Alva Digital Twin that blends the virtual world with the physical grid to help utilities to better plan, operate, and maintain their grids of tomorrow.
ALVA, a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology Made in Luxembourg, provides a digital twin representation of the physical energy grid. The smart grid AI twin enables Creos to monitor and optimise its distribution network, predict potential problems and help Creos to ensure reliable and uninterrupted supply of energy to its customers. With ALVA, Creos is taking a big step forward in embracing AI and digital transformation for the energy sector.
Yves Reckinger, Smart Grids Manager at Creos, explains that implementing ALVA in the production environment is an important step in Creos’ quest to provide advanced and efficient energy solutions that help to manage the electricity grid more efficiently. For Robert Graglia, Head of Grid Support at Creos, the power of AI combined to the digital twin technology allows Creos to better manage the grid, detect anomalies and address potential problems before they escalate, ensuring a more stable and reliable energy supply.
The deployment of ALVA is in line with Creos’ commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy distribution solutions. The AI-driven technology will help the DSO to adapt to the increasing demand for renewable energy sources, such as PV, and facilitate their integration into the grid. In addition, ALVA will help reduce energy losses and minimise the environmental impact of energy distribution.
Creos’ commitment to innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology is evident in its partnership with DataThings, the company behind ALVA. This collaboration represents a shared vision for a smarter and more sustainable energy future.
In line with the positive working relationship between Creos and DataThings around the ALVA project, Encevo made a complementary equity investment in DataThings in 2019.
