Q&A: Siemens' Grid Software CEO on the Power of Gridscale X

Grid software plays a crucial role in enabling grid operators, industrial entities and infrastructure organisations to accelerate this transition while ensuring stability and profitability.

But what is the key to its functionality? By bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms through an integrated approach to operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), Siemens employs design principles such as modularity, openness, user-focused development, interoperability and resilience.

Dr. Erlinghagen emphasises the urgent need for such solutions, noting that the global energy landscape is becoming increasingly complex.

With a projected seven-fold rise in distributed energy resources (DERs) and a tripling of electricity demand by 2030, utilities face immense challenges. They must expand grid capacity rapidly and manage growing complexity, all while maintaining consistent reliability.

To address these challenges, Siemens has introduced Gridscale X, a system which can pave the way for more autonomous grids.

Gridscale X provides modular software solutions that help utilities meet the demands of the energy transition. This software enables swift scaling of grid capacity, simplifies the management of DER complexity and enhances grid flexibility. It is designed for easy deployment and seamless integration into existing OT and IT systems.

Dr. Erlinghagen explains how Gridscale X represents a new era in grid management by improving planning, operations and maintenance processes while delivering greater value to utilities worldwide.

In your own words, what is Siemens and what role does the Grid Software business play within it?

At Siemens Grid Software, we are the partner for power utilities to accelerate and secure the energy transition in a sustainable and profitable way. By paving the way for autonomous grid management, we empower grid operators to accelerate digital transformation easier, faster and at scale.

How do you and the team at Siemens aid the need for increasing grid capacity at speed and scale, digital transformation and the energy transition as a whole?  

To address the pressing need for more grid capacity, we need to fundamentally rethink grid management.

With Gridscale X, grid operators can scale grid capacity, distributed energy resources (DERs) and customer satisfaction fast, accelerating and securing the energy transition while keeping grids stable.

What are the key technological innovations or advancements incorporated into Gridscale X that enable grid operators to increase grid capacity rapidly and efficiently, particularly in the face of the escalating complexity introduced by DERs?  

Gridscale X paves the way for autonomous grid management, empowering grid operators to solve their most pressing challenges. Gridscale X includes modular software that is easy to deploy and fast to integrate into any existing IT and OT landscape, while increasing the efficiency and reliability of utilities' operations. 

Most recently, we launched Gridscale X Protection Data Manager and Gridscale X Dynamic Line Rating. Gridscale X Protection Data Manager is an essential tool for grid operators grappling with the challenges of growing grid complexity and data overload. Gridscale X Dynamic Line Rating maximises the utilisation of the transmission grid amid the rising number of renewable generation sources.  

Could you elaborate on the integration process of Gridscale X into existing IT and OT landscapes?  

All Gridscale X products are a part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster and at scale.

As part of this, all the products are developed with the core design principles of interoperability, flexibility, openness, availability as a service, and the highest level of cybersecurity.

With an open ecosystem of partners with complementary technologies, Gridscale X is easy to deploy and fast to integrate into any existing IT and OT landscape. 

By working together with our partners, such as Esri or Copperleaf, we can deliver the best solution to our customers.  

What are the most critical challenges for grid operators in achieving autonomy in grid management and how does Gridscale X address these challenges?  

With the electrification of everything, there is a need to increase grid capacity fast. Furthermore, the rapid growth of DERs makes it much more complex to operate grids in a stable and economic way.

For utilities to move towards autonomous grid management, the energy sector must embrace innovation, digitalisation and sustainability by investing in clean technologies, renewable energy and smart grid solutions, which will accelerate the energy transition.

Gridscale X can certainly pave the way towards autonomous grid management — but it is just one piece of the puzzle. To reach net zero, we will need to work together. Strong collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential for Europe to lead the global energy transition.

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