January 2026 – Advancing Electrical Sub-Digital Twin Integration for SPEN Systems

ENSIGN WP2 (Electrical sub-DT) has modelled an entire neighbourhood network within the SPEN SPD licence area down to premises level, exporting the results to the Common Information Model (CIM) format that is in increasing use across the industry to standardise reporting.

The electrical digital twin will be merged into the integrated digital twin in Quarter 1 2026, with a demonstration showing how geospatial network information can be converted automatically into a working power flow model against which future low carbon technology adoption scenarios can be evaluated.

Furthermore, to enhance scalability of the digital twin, a surrogate model approach has been developed to enable alternative models for areas where no or limited network data are available or if evaluating network behaviour is time critical. Integration of domestic premises load synthesis at scale is underway. This is expected to be pulled through to SPEN connectivity tools for evaluation.

Researchers from of WP2 will be delivering papers at internationally recognised conferences noted below, further contributing to the global exchange of knowledge and highlighting the project’s ongoing impact. These activities represent significant milestones in our engagement and dissemination efforts, and further details will be provided in due course.

Papers Submitted:

July 2026 – The 9th European Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society 2026 (PHME26) – Oslo, Norway
Paper Submitted: Impact of Reactive Power Forecasting Assumptions on Distribution Transformer Prognostics

July 2026 – 2026 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting – Montreal, Canada
Paper Submitted: Automated Calibration of LV Distribution Network Digital Twins for Future Scenario Generation

Sept 2025 – Advancing Scalable Network Modelling

WP2 has made strong strides in modelling SP Energy Network’s (SPEN) distribution networks and enhancing data-driven capabilities:

  • Completed 33kV/11kV network models for both SPEN license areas in Langside and Liverpool
  • Developed example 11kV/0.415kV model
  • Construction of new Langside and Lord St (Manweb) models: A new approach combines engineering rules from the SPEN’s network design guidelines with data-driven methods to better reflect real network connectivity.
  • Exported results in industry-standard CIM format

Scalable Modelling Framework:

The goal is to create a reusable, adaptable framework to model any SPEN distribution network, with key features of this to include:

  • Automated generation of feeder models from raw connectivity data
  • Export and import of feeder models to CIM format in alignment with ENA and NESO initiatives
  • Generative AI Synthesis of end use loads with realistic diversity to reflect seasonal and environmental conditions

What’s Next?
Going forward the next steps for WP2 are:

  • Integrate WP3-Heat Digital Twin load forecasts and apply modelling approach to 415V networks to assess future low-carbon technology (LCT) impacts
  • Identify operational substation data for calibration of models into Digital Twins — discussions with SPEN to follow
Work Package 2

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