Smart Energy Twin

Grid congestion has caused significant issues for many businesses and consumers, leading to pressing questions about potential expansion, the configuration of electrical infrastructure, opportunities to reduce energy usage, and the impacts of installing photovoltaic (PV) systems. This project is dedicated to developing a digital twin energy management system within an energy hub to enhance efficiency and sustainability. By integrating state-of-the-art digital twin technology with various energy systems, the project, led technically by HAN University of Applied Sciences and with security managed by Impact Iot Solutions, aims to optimize the management of diverse energy sources like solar panels, heat pumps, and storage systems.
Central to our approach is ensuring that all data collected during the project, which includes system performance metrics but excludes any personal user information, is used responsibly and stored securely. Local storage at the energy hub allows real-time monitoring and data analysis, with secure remote access for project partners to facilitate collaboration.
At the project's conclusion, non-sensitive data will be made publicly available on an open platform, promoting transparency and enabling further research and development by the broader community. This initiative not only seeks to improve energy management practices but also aims to serve as a model for future digital twin implementations in energy hubs worldwide.
By focusing on innovation, privacy, and community engagement, the project represents a significant step forward in the integration of digital technologies into sustainable energy solutions.

Eindrapportage

This project developed a Smart EnergyTwin Energy Management System (SET-EMS) for the Wolfheze energy hub, a residential district of eight all-electric homes equipped with solar PV (51.2 kWp), a ground-source heat pump (60 kW), hydrogen storage (1,200 kWh Solenco Powerbox with 5 kW electrolyser and 5 kW fuel cell), a lithium-ion battery (30 kWh), and eight EV charging points. The research addressed how digital twin technology can be effectively applied to manage and optimise integrated residential energy systems. Key results include: (1) a working proof-of-concept with a unified data pipeline integrating three communication protocols (P1, Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP); (2) an edge-computing platform (Intel NUC with Proxmox) for real-time monitoring and control of the Powerbox; (3) a validated six-layer architecture framework for digital twins in residential energy management; (4) a results framework with KPIs for cost optimisation (15-25% saving expected), CO2 reduction (20-30%), and grid congestion relief (20-30% peak demand reduction). The project involved 14 students and produced transferable design guidelines for comparable energy hubs across the Netherlands.