DIGIN is a joint industry programme of 13 of Norway’s largest grid network operators and Statnett, the system operator of the Norwegian power system. The overarching goal of DIGIN is to contribute to ensuring reliable, sustainable and affordable power through enabling effective data exchange between energy market players.
DIGIN is developing a common basis for creating synergies and supporting more efficient and customer-friendly operations and energy distribution, enabling better decisions based on quality data. DNV is a key consulting partner to DIGIN, providing expertise within digitalization, data management, and the energy industry specific information standard CIM (Common Information Model) combined with decades of experience within the energy industry.
DNV helps DIGIN enable effective data exchange through a standards-based common information model and is contributing to learning and competence development across the sector.
The grid companies participating in DIGIN represent 80 per cent of Norway’s end customers. Norway has a fragmented energy industry with 1700 turbines producing hydroelectricity and 80 different network operators, some of which are small local operations. The need for efficient collaboration across the energy value chain is increasingly important, also due to the introduction of renewable energy sources, which means additional connections to the grid. Companies are reliant on cooperating on many levels. DIGIN was started in 2019 and is managed by the non-profit industry organization Energy Norway.
Digital cooperation
“We need to cooperate, and digital cooperation has to be based on standardization, standard solution architecture, and of course data quality,” says Lars Berthinussen, Head of DIGIN at Energy Norway. “When those aspects are in place, only then can we start talking about automatization, machine-to-machine communications, machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotization and more. All those things are dependent on having a standardized language and a way to communicate. We are creating the basis for this,” he says.
“DNV has extensive experience working on similar initiatives in other industries, such as the maritime and oil and gas industries,” says Christopher Wiig, Manager, Markets and Customers at DNV. “The results from the synergies of cross-industry digitalization projects can bring immense improvements and efficiency gains at all levels,” he says.
In addition to the DIGIN partners, supporters of DIGIN include DigitalNorway, a non-profit established in 2017 by a group of the largest companies in Norway, and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), a directorate under the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. NVE is an observer on the DIGIN Board.
Numerous digitalization projects
DIGIN runs several different projects, each focusing on different aspects of developing new digitalization synergies, such as optimization of power consumption and easing the network connection process for consumers and suppliers. Network operators and other parties donate resources and project work hours.
One of the projects already realized involves establishing a standard scheme that allows for automatic sharing of network tariff data, which enables power consumers to optimize their power consumption to reduce costs.
Another project is creating a standardized reporting system for a semi-annual report that every network operator is required to compile and deliver to authorities (Digital KSU, Kraftsystemutredningen). Previously, the companies had no standard ways of collecting data, presenting it or of analysis. It has been done manually and delivered to NVE on separate PDFs, which limits the value of the compiled information for usage in other processes. This year, based on work done in DIGIN, the reporting will be standardized and digitalized. Now NVE can present compilations, with maps showing for example alternatives for energy development, plans and insights.
DNV supports DIGIN in the execution of most of the projects, providing consultancy in addition to the hours provided on a voluntary basis by the participating network operators.
“DNV has a team with a very high level of expertise in the energy industry and with a strong background from both ongoing and previous assignments,” says Berthinussen. “With DNV, we can seamlessly continue the ongoing commitment we have, both within project management, industry expertise and Common Information Model (CIM) support.”
Successful DIGIN projects can translate to immense cost savings to end consumers. “If we optimize energy consumption, we can save billions of kroner in reduced development of power networks. Digital interaction is one key piece in the work of making Norway the world’s first renewable and fully electric society,” says Berthinussen.
This is DIGIN:
DIGIN is a joint initiative of Energy Norway, Norwegian energy companies and national authorities seeking to develop a common digital platform to create synergies and support more efficient operations and optimizing planning and development in the industry. Energy Norway represents approximately 280 companies involved in the production, distribution and trading of electricity in Norway.
DIGIN partners: Agder Energi Nett, Arva, BKK, Elvia, Glitre Energi Nett, Fagne, Lede, Linea, L-nett, Mørenett, Norgesnett, Statnett, Tensio, Elinett
Digin supporters: DigitalNorway, Distriktsenergi, Energi Norge, Nettalliansen, NVE, Samfunnsbedriftene Energi
Learn more about DIGIN.
