January 2026 – WP5 (Industrial Cluster sub-DT) – Eden Campus solar data integration

Last 3 months (what we achieved)
WP5 has developed and tested an API client to pull real-time operational data from the Eden Campus solar farm. Using this client, we have already extracted one year of high-resolution plant-level generation data, including key variables such as radiation intensity, inverter power, and inverter yield.

Data extraction is now being extended to cover the full operational history of the solar farm, starting from October 2021, to support model calibration and future digital twin capabilities.

Next 6 months (what’s next)

  • Extend the API client to support component-level extraction, enabling data retrieval at inverter and sensor level.
  • Combine extracted plant-level PV data with weather data to train a solar power forecasting model using machine-learning methods.
  • Validate the forecasting model using newly extracted live data and historical weather inputs, including comparisons between weather model outputs and observed weather measurements.

Figure 1:“Relationship between radiation intensity and PV output from API-extracted Eden Campus operational data (one-year sample).”

Figure 2:“Eden Campus solar farm: example of one year of API-extracted generation data used to calibrate and validate WP5 models”

Sept 2025 – Advancing Solar and Storage Modelling at Eden Campus

The WP5 team at Heriot-Watt University is making strong progress in co-developing a multi-energy vector digital twin of University of St Andrews Eden Campus, working in close collaboration with WP1 and WP4. Their current focus is on modelling local solar generation and battery storage to support a smarter, more resilient campus energy system.

A preliminary physical model has already been created, capturing ideal solar generation conditions at Eden Campus. The next phase involves refining this model to reflect real-world performance—factoring in energy losses and other non-idealities to ensure alignment with actual generation data.

To support this, the team is developing an API client that will automatically pull real-time data from the Eden Campus solar farm. This live data feed will enable continuous model updates, improving accuracy and helping to shape a robust digital twin that reflects the dynamic nature of campus energy use.

Work Package 5

Title