ForeGrid

01 · Why ForeGrid

Designed by a DSO,
for DSOs.

Context

Electricity grid operators are currently experiencing the effects of an accelerated energy transition through the rapid integration of DER, new and fast-growing uses of electricity and the expansion of flexibility mechanisms. This complexity calls for anticipation, responsiveness, and arbitrage capacity.

By combining the operational DNA of Enedis (EDF Group), ranked #1 globally in the Singapore Smart Grid Index, with the analytical delivery rigor of Sia, a global management consulting leader in data science and AI, we partnered to develop ForeGrid, a state-of-the-art and innovative grid solution that addresses the evolving needs of network operators by providing a custom-made, versatile and forward-thinking platform.

Our conviction

We are convinced that an efficient and reliable grid must be operated with a long-term perspective. ForeGrid integrates planned network works to safeguard grid readiness and streamline operator decisions from T-2 years to real time and beyond, with proactive constraints optimization that drives higher customer satisfaction.

Weeks to 2 years before real timeHours & days beforeReal timeAfter outage

Scheduling planned works on the grid with minimal impact on grid readiness

Accounting for HR constraints and projected state of the grid

Real-time identification of constraints (intensity, tension, power) on the grid

Decision support to remedy the constraints at minimal cost

After grid recovery (automated and out of scope), plan to ensure the resilience of the grid

Identify potential weaknesses & solutions

Primary use cases

Six situations, one platform.

USE CASE 01Power limitation on substations
USE CASE 02Substation planned works
USE CASE 03Protection plan enforcement
USE CASE 04High voltage-side incident
USE CASE 05Transit constraints
USE CASE 06Voltage constraints

Designed for the reality of modern distribution, our solution provides a seamless ‘Close-the-Loop’ orchestration of your network.

Built to be SCADA-agnostic, ForeGrid integrates into your existing environment, whether on-premise or in the cloud, eliminating vendor lock-in and significantly reducing deployment complexity.

SCADA / DMS

MV network

LV network

ON-PREMISECLOUD

02 · Performance

High-performance
algorithmic core

ForeGrid’s algorithms have been specifically designed for robustness and for their ability to parallelize computations within very short timeframes, leveraging combinations of control levers to address both system complexity in real time and an increasing growth of DER.

Hence, several loadflow algorithms were developed to estimate the electrical network state (voltage, current, etc.) based on its loads, power consumption/production (Backward-forward, Newton-Raphson, Holomorphic Embedding).

ForeGrid’s optimization engine is based on the latest research achievements in operational research: the optimizer applies a set of levers to the network and evaluates their impact by running a loadflow evaluation. This process is repeated for all tested levers. The optimizer aims to maximize the objective while ensuring that all network constraints are respected.

OPTIMIZER↻ CYCLIC CALLS · UP TO 2,000 / SECOND

Levers

Available actions on the network

TopologyCurtailing (P/Q)Nominal voltage

Objective

Optimization criteria

Non injected energyNon distributed energyNumber of operationsUsage costFeeder length

Constraints

Factors limiting the actions to be taken

Customer outageConstraint V/IProducer protectionsNetwork loop closuresSubstation protection planConstraint S

EVALUATION OF NETWORK STATE (LOADFLOW)

By utilizing advanced parallel processing and high-fidelity solvers, our algorithms deliver faster, more precise calculations across massive datasets, allowing for a significantly higher volume of simultaneous simulations with near-zero latency.

Key metrics

per work

< 1min

Work planning study

Assess the potential impacts of planned works and identify the optimal time window for scheduling them.

per day analyzed

3min

Day-ahead grid optimization

On the day before execution, assess the feasibility of planned works and, where applicable, determine the actions to be activated to remove or mitigate constraints. Postpone the works if necessary.

per HV/MV substation

< 5min

Real-time monitoring

Monitor the grid for emerging constraints and, where applicable, optimize the mitigation actions to be activated to relieve or reduce them, either automatically or periodically.

levers effectiveness

Realtime

Levers effectiveness

Verify the effectiveness of activated actions and, where applicable, propose a new optimization.

03 · Transparency

Where transparency
meets control

ForeGrid has been designed from the outset to provide a high level of transparency, which is particularly critical both for operators who need to be confident in the tools they use and for external stakeholders that may be compensated through market-based solutions.

ForeGrid work scheduling study screen showing a constraint forecast per feeder and worksites to validate — ForeGrid work scheduling study

ForeGrid real-time screen showing overload constraints and the network topology map — Network topology & electrical state

ForeGrid will leverage the HMI already in use within the existing SCADA/ADMS ecosystem. However, we can also develop new HMIs, thanks to our deep understanding of network representation challenges and the accurate visualization of grid assets and their components.

This approach guarantees smooth integration, long-term scalability, and independence from vendor-specific technologies, while complying with current and future regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.

Compliance
by design

ForeGrid is fully compatible with a wide range of industry standards and communication protocols and supports CIM-based information models, aligned with IEC 61968/61970. It is designed to seamlessly integrate within existing IT and OT environments by supporting DNP3 and RESTful APIs, ensuring interoperability with third-party systems such as SCADA, ADMS, EMS, GIS…

Our solution also complies with internationally recognized cybersecurity standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management, IEC 62443 for industrial and OT cybersecurity, and NIST frameworks for critical infrastructure protection, while ensuring secure communications through standards like IEC 62351.

IEC 61968/61970CIMDNP3RESTful APIsISO/IEC 27001IEC 62443NISTIEC 62351

04 · Architecture

A service-oriented microservices architecture via APIs

ForeGrid is designed for flexible, large-scale deployment. It relies on a common functional core, while allowing local parameterization of business rules, thresholds and operational settings: “deploy once, adapt locally”.

SCADA

GIS

Forecast data

Network data

API & INTEROPERABILITY LAYER

Data & integration foundation

Connectors

Grid Data Hub

Digital Twin

Grid Simulation & Scenarios

Reusable analytics engines

Forecasting

Loadflow / state estimator & constraints

Grid optimizer

Grid business applications

Grid works planning

Operational scheduling

Real-time operations

A modular architecture designed for performance with a high level of adaptability

05 · Rollout

Adaptive rollout strategy

WAVE 01
Business rules are fully configurable to reflect regional or entity-specific requirements.
WAVE 02
Deployment can be carried out in waves, enabling a progressive ramp-up and controlled change.
WAVE 03
Feature flipping allows functionalities to be activated gradually, limiting operational risk.
WAVE 04
A structured change management approach based on our strong experience ensures user adoption and operational mastery.

EDF IN, the international grid distribution division of the EDF group, brings a DSO perspective to DERMS deployment, going beyond technology and system integration.

Building on extensive experience supporting DSOs worldwide, we combine DERMS expertise with a strong understanding of grid operations, business processes and operational challenges.

This is the key to a successful rollout of ForeGrid and, ultimately, its effective adoption by the teams who will use it every day.

Our operational partner

ForeGrid is being deployed at scale with Enedis, building on its operational expertise and real-world grid requirements.

Designed by a DSO,for DSOs.