The Norwegian power grid company Glitre Nett, in collaboration with Kongsberg Digital, has embarked on a pilot project to explore innovative approaches to substation maintenance using the Kognitwin Grid digital twin. This initiative is part of an ongoing research and development effort, aiming to assess how advanced technologies can support condition-based maintenance practices.
Traditionally, substation maintenance has been carried out using a calendar-based approach, where inspections and service tasks are scheduled at fixed intervals, regardless of the actual condition of the equipment. The pilot seeks to evaluate how leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics can provide insights into equipment health, offering opportunities for more targeted maintenance.
"This pilot is an important step in learning how we can improve maintenance practices. While we are still in the early stages, it gives us valuable knowledge about how we might work smarter in the future by incorporating new, digital tools," says Otto Andreas Rustand, Head of Digitalisation, Innovation and IT Security at Glitre Nett.
The pilot program, limited to three substations, focuses on exploring the potential benefits of condition-based maintenance. By continuously monitoring the health of switches and other critical infrastructure components through Kognitwin Grid, Glitre Nett aims to gain insights into how such technology could support maintenance decisions.
Key areas of exploration include:
"This pilot is an important step in learning how we can improve maintenance practices", says Otto Andreas Rustand, Head of Digitalisation, Innovation and IT Security at Glitre Nett.
This pilot is part of a broader vision to advance digitalisation and innovation in the energy sector. It builds upon the work carried out in the AutoConnect project, where Glitre Nett tested Kognitwin Grid for new connection requests and increasing capacity for existing customers, aiming to enhance operational workflows.
"We will continue to explore collaborative opportunities with Kongsberg Digital to innovate and develop solutions that support the industry's progress," Otto Andreas Rustand emphasises.
The pilot with Kognitwin Grid provides valuable lessons on the potential of digital tools in grid operations, but its findings will shape future considerations rather than representing a solution ready for full-scale implementation today.
Looking ahead, Glitre Nett and Kongsberg Digital see opportunities to expand into risk-based maintenance strategies, where maintenance efforts are prioritised based on risk profiles and reliability analyses. Such advancements could enhance grid performance and reliability while ensuring efficient resource allocation.
This project highlights how pilot initiatives and partnerships can contribute to an evolving understanding of how to digitalise the energy sector effectively and sustainably.
