Networking In Energy Sector

The energy transition is a major challenge, requiring not only sustainable power generation but also reliable electricity distribution. 🌱⚡ Any power interruption can disrupt public life, making critical infrastructure availability crucial. Effective security measures, processes, and products are essential to eliminate vulnerabilities and ensure uninterrupted operation. Network technology for use in substations must therefore meet particularly high requirements: Powerful Platform: In substations, the network technology must process a significant amount of data in real-time. Managed switches with high bandwidth, precise time synchronization, and low latency are essential for communication. This is because the management of installed network components quickly becomes extensive and complex. IEC 61850 and IEEE 1613: Compliance with these standards ensures products meet critical infrastructure requirements, including high electromagnetic immunity, a wide temperature range from -40°C to +85°C, and extreme shock and vibration resistance. Cyberattack Protection: In a networked world, cyberattack protection is vital. Network technology must have extensive security features like VLANs for network segmentation, user authentication, and syslog support for reliable monitoring and protection. Let's work together towards a sustainable future in which the energy supply is not only green, but also secure 🔐.  For more information on this topic, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ewyginNi #cybersecurity #criticalInfrastructure #IEC61850 #industrialcommunication

🔴 The Spanish power system collapsed within seconds following a double contingency in its interconnection lines with France. First, a 400 kV line disconnected, and less than a second later, a second line also failed, suddenly isolating Spain while it was exporting 5 GW of power. The frequency rose abruptly, triggering the automatic disconnection of approximately 10 GW of renewable generation, programmed to shut down when exceeding 50.2 Hz. This led to a sudden energy shortfall, a sharp frequency drop, and within just nine seconds, a total system blackout. 🪕 The causes of the incident are attributed to low rotational inertia (only about 10 GW of synchronous generation online), identically configured renewable protections that reacted simultaneously, reserves that were inadequate for such a high share of renewables, and an under-dimensioned interconnection with France. Could this have been avoided? Several measures could help prevent similar situations in the future, such as requiring synthetic inertia in large power plants, reinforcing the interconnection with France, and establishing a fast frequency response market, among others. 💡 In this context, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are more essential than ever. These systems can provide synthetic inertia, ultra-fast frequency response, and backup power in critical situations—capabilities that today’s renewable-dominated system cannot ensure on its own. By reacting in milliseconds, BESS help stabilize the grid during sudden frequency deviations, preventing massive disconnections and buying time for other reserves to activate. Their strategic deployment, combined with appropriate regulation, would make these systems a cornerstone of a more secure and resilient future power system. ... ✋️Please note that this post was written based on the information published on or before its release. Root cause analysis is still ongoing and updates will be released with the outcomes of the investigation. The goal is to show the features that can be provided by BESS within the wide portfolio of solutions applicable in these cases. All inisghts are highly welcome and appreciated in order to enrich our collective understanding. ... 📸 Reid Gardner Battery Energy Storage System (Nevada, USA) A real-world example of how BESS ensures grid stability by delivering synthetic inertia and fast frequency response—essential in a renewable-heavy energy mix.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱-𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀   On 30 September 2025, Transgrid announced a tender for about 1 GW of grid-forming battery (GFM BESS) system-strength services – the first step towards 5 GW.  The design is simple but transformative: 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆-𝗻𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Here’s why and how Australia is changing gears.   𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁  - 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 – High-renewables grids now lack “system-forming strength + flexibility”, not more spinning steel.  - 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 – GFM BESS delivers strength while earning from arbitrage, frequency regulation and congestion relief, cutting total cost.  - 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Placed at Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and bottlenecks to lift connection capacity directly.  - 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Firmware updates enable droop control, black-start and fault-ride-through to match new standards.   𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀  - 𝗙𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 – GFM current limits demand adaptive protection coordination.  - 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – Model alignment, parameter tuning and hold-point testing across scenarios.  - 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Defining verifiable “system-strength capability” and enforceable performance terms.  - 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Weak-grid voltage control and relay integration.  - 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 – Long-lead parts, EPC interfaces and controller updates.   𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽  - 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 (1–3 yrs) – Hybrid mix: renewables + condensers + GFM BESS. Condensers anchor VAR and faults; GFM builds stability.  - 𝗠𝗶𝗱 (3–7 yrs) – GFM-led fleet with condensers at critical nodes. Mature the “standard – testing – payment” loop.  - 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 (>7 yrs) – GFM + digital protection replace most new condensers, keeping rotating back-up only where needed.   This is not about “opposing condensers” but “buying the right capability”. As the grid’s challenge shifts from “generating power” to “ensuring stability and usability”, assets must evolve from single-function to programmable multi-capability.   ✅ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆  Australia’s system-strength strategy is entering a phase where GFM BESS complement synchronous machines – with payments finally reflecting true grid value.    🤔 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  Which barrier is most critical for large-scale GFM BESS rollout – testing, fault-levels, or performance verification?   #TechToValue #GridForming #BESS

Smart Grids Under Attack: Securing the Future of Energy In December 2015, Ukraine experienced the first known blackout caused by a cyberattack. Hackers gained access to operator workstations, moved laterally across the network, and remotely opened breakers to shut down substations. The attack was coordinated, persistent, and left hundreds of thousands without electricity. Smart grids rely on SCADA systems, IoT sensors, and real-time communication with consumers. These features optimize demand and distribution, but they also expose multiple attack surfaces. Compromised credentials can let intruders pivot through remote access points. Malware can alter load data to mislead operators. Even denial-of-service attacks on control centers can block visibility, forcing unsafe manual operations. Defenses focus on segmentation, strict authentication, anomaly detection, and secure update processes. Frameworks like IEC 62443 and the EU’s NIS2 Directive set requirements for monitoring, incident response, and risk-based controls. The upcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) raises the bar further, enforcing security-by-design across components. As renewables and cross-border trade expand, the resilience of smart grids will define energy security. The challenge is no longer avoiding attacks, but ensuring they cannot cascade into national-scale outages. Reference: https://lnkd.in/dBMdzA6p #OTsecurity #SmartGrid #Energy #CyberResilience #IEC62443 #NIS2 #CRA

The energy transition needs data – and data needs power grids. Data centres are key infrastructure for Europe’s digital sovereignty, for new business models and economic growth – especially in the age of Artificial Intelligence. At TenneT Germany, we also use AI ourselves to make our power grids more efficient, predictive and resilient. The new Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) study “From Gridlock to Grid Asset: Data Centres for Digital Sovereignty, Energy Resilience, and Competitiveness” shows that the energy demand of digital infrastructure will rise significantly – reaching up to 200 TWh in the EU by 2035. To align this development with the energy transition, we need integrated planning, clear locational signals and accelerated grid expansion. These are investments in Europe’s future resilience – and in growth, innovation and employment. Data centres can provide important flexibility to support system stability – up to 60 GW by 2035. What matters is that we plan and operate power grids and digital infrastructure together: forward-looking, coordinated and as grid-supporting assets across Europe. The digital and climate-neutral transformations are not opposing goals – they reinforce one another. Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty will depend on whether we succeed in achieving both, through closer partnerships between grid operators, data centre operators and policymakers. #LightingTheWayAheadTogether  Thomas Le Goff, PhD, Oliver Inderwildi PhD MBA, Fridrik Mar Baldursson, Nils-Henrik M. von der Fehr, Bruno LIEBHABERG

You might be surprised who really owns your local Shell or BP station… Over the past decade, major oil companies have been quietly reshaping their downstream model, shifting from owning and operating fuel stations to Licensing their brands and outsourcing daily operations. The logic is clear: => Focus capital expensitures on higher-return, lower-carbon investments, while keeping strong brand presence through partners. Here are some notable examples: - Shell → Vivo Energy (Africa): Shell exited operations in over 20 African countries, maintaining its brand via long-term licensing. Vivo Energy now runs 2,000+ Shell-branded stations across the continent. - Shell → Vitol (Australia): Shell sold its entire Australian downstream business to Vitol for A$2.9 billion, including 870 retail sites and the Geelong refinery now operating under the Viva Energy brand, still selling Shell fuels under license. - BP (Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland): Gradually selling or franchising retail networks, retaining branding and supply agreements - Shell → ST1 (Norway & Finland): Sold its Nordic retail business but continues under the Shell brand via license across 400+ sites. - ExxonMobil → EG Group & DCC Energy (Europe): Esso-branded stations are now mostly run by licensees and partners, not ExxonMobil itself. - TotalEnergies (Belgium, Germany, Italy): Partnered with Q8 (Kuwait Petroleum) and MOL Group for retail operations, while keeping brand or supply rights. - Chevron (Asia, Latin America): Chevron Caltex continues through franchise and brand-license models. - Eni (Italy, Greece): Converted many stations to franchise/dealer-operated sites. Why this matters 1. Majors are redeploying capital toward energy transition and high-margin trading. 2. Brand without burden: They keep consumer visibility, supply, and loyalty networks without the cost of operating thousands of stations. 3. Local empowerment: Regional and local players are now driving transformation and growth. They execute locally while operating under a global brand umbrella. Does this resonate with you? Does this apply to your market?

On 28 April, my home country of Spain 𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 🌑. We now know that the root cause was a sequence of voltage oscillations that triggered widespread grid instability – like a tightrope walker wobbling without a safety net. Under normal conditions, such fluctuations (or wobbles) are absorbed by stabilising mechanisms (the safety net). But this time, there were fewer synchronous generators online than planned, and several failed to respond to control signals. Insufficient voltage control and limited cross-border transmission capacity further weakened the system’s footing. As the instabilities intensified, multiple generation units disconnected and the grid, unable to recover its balance, collapsed. The key lesson: 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. At InnoEnergy, we support companies that strengthen 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. As their solutions scale, the future will look very different, with grid failures becoming a thing of the past. For example:   🔋Repono's battery storage, when scaled at large, will together with other grid side energy storage facilities represent a massive resource of grid forming inverters - supporting both frequency and voltage stability of the grid. 🔌Skeleton Technologies’s supercapacitors, if deployed at scale, integrated as active energy sources in statcoms offer a real-time stabilizing tool for the grid - particularly during high volatility and renewable integration. ⚡️Enline Energy Solutions’s virtual-sensor technology and predictive analytics provide real-time grid insights. If implemented, it could provide dynamic line rating, increasing the capacity of existing grid infrastructure. 📊Energiot’s overhead line sensors will also provide real time data for dynamic line rating, as well as a better understanding of the status of the grid.   In my latest Forbes article, I take a closer look at the 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒅. Have a read and let me know what you think, link is below in the comments. 👇

This is the Darlngunaya community of the Fitzroy Crossing area of the Kimberley. The Fitzroy Crossing area experiences a significant number of power outages - over 35 last year according to locals, with some lasting up to a week. Like their neighbours at Bungardi community they would like to have solar PV. But they have aspirations for something bigger. They are wanting to explore the potential for a solar farm on their lands which could provide their power and generate revenue by being sold into the town grid. Horizon Power has recently announced that they are looking to make Power Purchase Agreements for renewable energy on several of their networks including Fitzroy Crossing. This represents an amazing opportunity for Traditional Owners to use their land to enhance their energy security, create much-needed revenue streams and reduce the carbon footprint of living on country. Who is looking to partner with communities like this to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have an ownership stake in large scale renewable energy projects? What funding agencies will support our communities that are trying to participate in the business opportunities that clean energy is providing? Can we follow the example set by Canada and support Indigenous peoples to become significant players in the energy space?

Hotspot when Navigating the Energy Transition ! Where is the value in " co-optimizing gas and electricity network planning for decarbonization"??? As energy networks utilities navigate the climate change mitigation policies, Energy system modelers and planners must develop strategies for achieving cost-effective Coordinated planning for electricity and natural gas systems investments that address cross –sector operational constraints, competing demands for net-zero emissions fuels, and shifts in energy consumption patterns. In this context, and In order to rapidly integrate substantial productions from renewable energy sources like - renewable gases and renewable electricity sources- to meet those challenge, it is imperative for electricity and gas network utilities to co-optimize the planning and delivery of network infrastructure, ensuring predictability for customers as they navigate the complex transition to a sustainable energy future. Some Key Components of such effective co-optimization should cover: 1. Effective regulatory frameworks to afford market integration which is vital to create an attractive environment for effective investments. Transparent policies will facilitate the integration of renewable sources while ensuring reliability and affordability for consumers. 2. crucial and pivotal roles of "elec., gas" Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) must be coherent and aligned to collaboratively enhance capacity management. This synergy will optimize the flow of energy, accommodate fluctuating renewable generation, and maintain both grids dispatchability and stability. 3. increasing the renewable energy production capacity, makes managing this influx is crucial. therefore, Strategic co-optimized modeling and planning of both energy grids will ensure stable handling of peak loads and diverse energy sources without compromising service reliability. 4. Tariff Structures: Evolving inclusive tariff structures will play a significant role in incentivizing investments in both gas and electricity networks. Fair pricing mechanisms are essential to stimulate growth while promoting sustainable energy practices. 5. Investment Planning: Coordinated investment planning across gas and electricity sectors is critical. Prioritizing infrastructure projects that enhance integration and resilience will pave the way for a more robust energy affordability. 6. The Role of Hydrogen and Power-to-X (PTX): Hydrogen and PTX technologies represent a promising avenue for energy transition by leveraging adoption of such solutions to store excess renewable energy and provide flexibility to energy systems, as well as effectively contribute to decarbonization efforts. Indeed …co-optimizing gas and electricity network infrastructure is a critical and strategic job! #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization  #RenewableEnergy #Hydrogen #MarketRegulation #CapacityManagement #InvestmentPlanning

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio: 2024 proved that flexibility markets aren't just for Christmas - they're becoming permanent fixtures of our energy system. Just as the Eiffel Tower evolved from temporary structure to Parisian icon, flexibility is transforming from stopgap measure to essential market mechanism. 🔌 The evidence is clear in our 5th LCP Delta/smartEn Market Monitor: DSO flexibility procurement is becoming business as usual, residential assets are being aggregated at scale, and some ancillary services markets are approaching saturation. 📊 Key market developments I tracked this year: • Sweden leading Nordic battery deployment despite expected frequency response market saturation • Belgium preparing for dramatic solar+storage growth through Plug & Play approval • Netherlands and Australia testing different approaches to residential solar curtailment • VPP value chain increasingly segmented between asset connectivity, optimization, and market access Three posts that captured pivotal market shifts: "Residential Flexibility as Essential Component" On why partnerships between retailers, manufacturers and aggregators are replacing vertical integration in flexibility markets https://lnkd.in/esfZvjjK "GB Electricity Market Zonal Pricing" Why location-based pricing may reshape generator revenues and market design https://lnkd.in/eNarsPA2 "Solar Curtailment Trials" How different markets approach the challenge of integrating distributed generation https://lnkd.in/ekz6S3Ub ⚡ Looking at 2025: The market signals are clear - we need 5x growth in flexibility within 5 years. Success requires: • Better coordination between standards (OpenADR, PAS1878/1879, OCPP) • Market designs that work for distributed assets • Integration of residential flexibility at scale • Evolution beyond single-market VPP models The tools exist to enable flexibility from distributed assets. Now we need market frameworks that recognize their value while fairly allocating costs.