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Digital Twins for the Future Power System: An Overview and a Future Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao Song

    (Laboratory for Mechatronic and Renewable Energy Systems (LMRES), Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM), 80335 Munich, Germany)

  • Christoph M. Hackl

    (Laboratory for Mechatronic and Renewable Energy Systems (LMRES), Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM), 80335 Munich, Germany)

  • Abhinav Anand

    (Wind Energy Institute, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany)

  • Andre Thommessen

    (Laboratory for Mechatronic and Renewable Energy Systems (LMRES), Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM), 80335 Munich, Germany)

  • Jonas Petzschmann

    (Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Omar Kamel

    (Wind Energy Institute, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany
    MesH Engineering GmbH (MesH), 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Robert Braunbehrens

    (Wind Energy Institute, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85748 Garching, Germany)

  • Anton Kaifel

    (Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Christian Roos

    (MesH Engineering GmbH (MesH), 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Stefan Hauptmann

    (MesH Engineering GmbH (MesH), 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

The inevitable transition of the power system toward a sustainable and renewable-energy centered power system is accompanied by huge versatility and significant challenges. A corresponding shift in operation strategies, embracing more intelligence and digitization, e.g., a Cyber-Physical System (CPS), is needed to achieve an optimal, reliable and secure operation across all system levels (components, units, plants, grids) and by the use of big data. Digital twins (DTs) are a promising approach to realize CPS. In this paper, their applications in power systems are reviewed comprehensively. The review reveals that there exists a gap between available DT definitions and the requirements for DTs utilized in future power systems. Therefore, by adapting the current definitions to these requirements, a generic definition of a “Digital Twin System (DTS)” is introduced which finally allows proposing a multi-level and arbitrarily extendable “System of Digital Twin Systems (SDTSs)” idea. The SDTSs can be realized with an open-source framework that serves as a central data and communication interface between different DTSs which can interact by “Reporting Modules” and are regulated by “Control Modules” (CMs). Exemplary application scenarios involving multiple system levels are discussed to illustrate the capabilities of the proposed SDTS concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao Song & Christoph M. Hackl & Abhinav Anand & Andre Thommessen & Jonas Petzschmann & Omar Kamel & Robert Braunbehrens & Anton Kaifel & Christian Roos & Stefan Hauptmann, 2023. "Digital Twins for the Future Power System: An Overview and a Future Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5259-:d:1098774
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piotr F. Borowski, 2021. "Digitization, Digital Twins, Blockchain, and Industry 4.0 as Elements of Management Process in Enterprises in the Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. do Amaral, J.V.S. & dos Santos, C.H. & Montevechi, J.A.B. & de Queiroz, A.R., 2023. "Energy Digital Twin applications: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Hasith Jayasinghe & Kosala Gunawardane & Robert Nicholson, 2025. "Applications of Electrical Load Modelling in Digital Twins of Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-25, February.
    3. Chisom E. Ogbogu & Jesse Thornburg & Samuel O. Okozi, 2025. "Smart Grid Fault Mitigation and Cybersecurity with Wide-Area Measurement Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-26, February.
    4. Kwabena Addo & Musasa Kabeya & Evans Eshiemogie Ojo, 2025. "AI-Powered Digital Twin Co-Simulation Framework for Climate-Adaptive Renewable Energy Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-25, October.
    5. Joseph Nyangon, 2025. "Smart Grid Strategies for Tackling the Duck Curve: A Qualitative Assessment of Digitalization, Battery Energy Storage, and Managed Rebound Effects Benefits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-38, July.
    6. Albérico Travassos Rosário & Paula Rosa Lopes & Filipe Sales Rosário, 2025. "How Digital Development Leverages Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-34, July.
    7. Lingyu Wang & Hairui Wang & Yingchuan Li & Xingyun Yan & Min Wang & Meixing Guo & Mingzhu Fang & Yue Kong & Jie Hu, 2024. "The Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Carbon Data Management Platform for Digital Twin Industrial Parks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-22, November.

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