UK Power Networks is helping develop and test a new digital platform which could help power lines weather any storm.
In collaboration with organisations from across the utility sector and beyond, UK Power Networks is developing a digital platform called CReDO+ (Climate Resilience Decision Optimiser), which aims to help safeguard networks against the effects of climate change.
The Artificial Intelligence tool works by creating a digital replica, or twin, of infrastructure assets then combining historic and predictive data to simulate how resilient power lines would be during different types of extreme weather.
By consolidating data from across the electricity, water, gas and telecommunications sectors, CReDO+ maps out how different infrastructure systems depend on each other, to understand risks that can spread across sectors. The platform then creates new models that predict where utilities should invest to improve resilience.
The project is being developed with partners including Connected Places Catapult, Computational Modelling Cambridge Ltd, Science and Technology Facilities Council (Hartree Centre and STFC Scientific Computing’s Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure), Cadent Gas, National Gas, SP Energy Networks, National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Energy System Operator, Anglian Water, Thames Water, BT and the University of Edinburgh.
The collaboration on CReDO+ represents a shift towards more holistic risk management in the face of climate change. In today’s interconnected world, sharing data between different utilities can enable them to make better long-term investment decisions to prevent climate change causing widespread disruption to services.
CReDO+ is one of three UK Power Networks projects that secured funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK, to start large-scale trials.
During earlier funding phases, CReDO+ developed and validated its digital twin technology, while also establishing clear guidelines for data sharing, security and regulatory compliance.
Over the next three years, CReDO+ will work on expanding its impact by making its digital twin technology accessible for more regions and sectors. It will also refine its use of AI and machine learning for better climate planning and standardising ways to share data.
Luca Grella, head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, said:
“With CReDO+, we’re unlocking invaluable insights that will transform the way we understand and prepare for the challenges of climate change.
“By harnessing the power of data and advanced predictive modelling, CReDO+ will give us a clearer, more detailed picture of how extreme weather will impact our infrastructure. The ability to simulate these scenarios allows us to proactively safeguard our networks and ensure we’re not only resilient today, but future-ready for the evolving challenges ahead.”
Dr Elliot Christou, data and technical lead at Connected Places Catapult, and CReDO lead, said:
“CReDo+ will help us to deliver a digital twin platform that will better understand infrastructure interdependencies, improve conditions for planning investment into climate resilience, and evaluate the benefits of taking action.
“We look forward to working with UK Power Networks and other partners in the development of this project.”
