The power grid no longer carries only energy but more and more data, and the digitalisation of substations brings, along with efficiency, a new risk, cybersecurity, explained Florin Pop, General Manager of EnergoBit, now part of the Vinci Energies group.

Florin Pop’s presentation was based on a challenge set by colleagues: to describe in five words the evolution of the energy sector over the next three to five years. The words chosen were digitalisation, sustainability (green), general contractor (EPC), cybersecurity and modularity.

Starting from these directions, the presentation also explored the main megatrends that will shape the energy industry in the coming years, from accelerated digitalisation and the integration of renewable sources to the growing importance of cybersecurity and modular solutions.

“The power grid is increasingly becoming a network that carries data,” Florin Pop stated in his address at the Leaders in Energy Transition North-West Region conference, an event organised by Energynomics. Data must be secured and analysed in real time.

Digital twin and artificial intelligence

“We are all aware that networks are becoming smarter and smarter. It is very important that we can ensure this data flow in real time.”

Florin Pop also illustrated several innovative concepts. One concrete application is the digital twin of a substation, a digital model of a real asset on which a range of scenarios can be simulated: closing a circuit breaker, a fault, a short circuit.

All these actions allow processes to be tested and validated on a digital twin, without intervening on the infrastructure, so that you can anticipate a real situation and be ready to respond effectively when it occurs.

“On the technical side, things are evolving a great deal, science allows us to anticipate and there are very many solutions,” said Florin Pop.

When the model constantly receives real data, it can be complemented by artificial intelligence.

For Florin Pop, artificial intelligence is not only about automation but also about predictive capacity: “It can look ahead, from a few seconds to days, and make a forecast…”

The price of digitalising the power grid is greater exposure to cyber risks. The grid has numerous access points, and the risk is not only data theft. “In the energy system, the worst thing someone can do is press the button and disconnect, let’s say, a substation.” In this context, Florin Pop noted that Cluj firms at the intersection of the IT and energy sectors already offer advanced cybersecurity solutions.

Local skills, slower pace

Since the beginning of this year, European regulations no longer allow the use of sulphur hexafluoride as an insulating medium in medium-voltage equipment, and in this respect EnergoBit has developed its own alternative solutions: “We were the first company in Romania to certify and test its own product, made in Romania, that responds to this European directive.”

On connection infrastructure, Florin Pop offered a significant figure: “4,000 out of 8,000 MW are connected to the national energy system through the infrastructure built by EnergoBit.” He also stated that, at the moment, the largest solar park in Europe is being built in Romania, and the modular approach (control, command and auxiliary services systems installed and tested in the factory) shortens time on site.

Florin Pop’s conclusion is not about technology, but about pace. “I believe Romanian companies are ready to rise to the challenges […] there are local solutions that can be implemented worldwide. […] We often boast about our favourable geographical and geopolitical conditions, but sometimes we act at a slightly lower speed than we should.” And the road to 2030, he added, means not just more energy produced, but its generation “in a smart, interconnected way”, through collaboration and the digitalisation of grids.

Leaders in Energy Transition North-West Region was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: Elektra Renewable Support, Big Store, Electroalfa, ELNOS, EnergoBit, KSTAR, MBK Power Energy, SAJ Electric. Strategic partners ALEA, FREE, SAMER.