IdentiQ brings clarity to Baltic Cable to optimize northern Europe’s energy system

To improve the flow and accessibility of the essential information of its systems and develop a 3D map of critical components, Baltic Cable teamed up with Hitachi Energy to install an IdentiQ™ digital twin data platform for its HVDC system. IdentiQ collects and quickly accesses all relevant assets, analytics, and operational data in a simple, visual way representing all aspects of the state, life cycle, performance, and possible future condition of HVDC and its power quality assets.

Commissioned in 1994, Baltic Cable is a 600-megawatt, 450-kilovolt link that stretches across the bottom of the Baltic Sea for 250 km. It connects power grids in Sweden and Germany to pool electrical power resources, support their existing power grid capacity, and efficiently use existing power generation plants.

The link depends on people working remotely who connect to the unmanned converter stations in each country via a Virtual Private Network to see what is happening in the event of disturbances and ensure the reliability and availability of power transfers. In addition, the improved remote capabilities and the safety features that IdentiQ brings mean improved personnel safety. Maintenance activities are often organized with external resources, which may be unfamiliar with buildings and yards, and could benefit from access to a virtual representation of the asset representation first. Cybersecurity is also tested to the highest standard, offering data privacy and integrity for secure remote connection.

“Getting an HVDC site ready for IdentiQ is not a lengthy, intrusive process and can be done even if the station is up and running,” said Joel Lokrantz, project manager at Hitachi Energy. “Besides scanning the Baltic Cable Kruseberg converter station, it also involves installing computers and gateways on both stations, connecting these and setting up the firewalls to enable the communication, and then connecting it to the cloud.”

As projects and operations become increasingly complex, operators require deeper and faster insights and simpler ways to collaborate with colleagues, archive key information, and share the learnings, digitally.

The IdentiQ platform includes a comprehensive range of modules, which provide relevant asset information, analytics, and operational data, all visualized via an intuitive dashboard that users can customize to match their needs and job functions. These include 3D interactive visualization of all site assets and equipment which are easily accessible with just one click, to get the asset information such as manuals, drawings, maintenance history, and parts lists. In addition, it provides operational, maintenance, and safety training and data from the control and protection system including currents, loads, voltage, and time series data that can be aggregated and used for analytics.

Digitalizing assets and operations help improve operational performance, asset availability, and reliability. IdentiQ also improves the safety of personnel, streamlines searches, organizes information, and provides tailored tools and the data needed to improve decision-making. Furthermore, it can record all asset interactions and outcomes and make asset videos, photos, documentation, and data easily accessible for operations and maintenance personnel.