The iris360 Digital Twin Platform Continues to Grow
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At Libelium, we believe in the power of data to transform reality. From data capture to the metaverse, the iris360 platform continues to evolve as a digital twin ecosystem that enhances decision-making in key sectors.
Designed as a horizontal, flexible, and scalable platform, iris360 integrates various specialized modules and applications that extend its functionality. To envair360, the digital twin for air quality and Low Emission Zone management, we now add grid360—a solution tailored for the energy sector that improves energy transmission efficiency without requiring major infrastructure investments.
Breaking the Data Barrier
Libelium’s CSO, Antonio J. Jara, states: “We are at the point of breaking the barrier of your data to include all data.” Just as we have surpassed the barriers of sound and light speed, iris360 propels us into the future with digital twins. This innovation enables the integration of information from multiple sources for more innovative and more efficient decision-making.
Digitalization and increased technology use have driven up energy demand, primarily due to two key factors: the proliferation of data centers supporting artificial intelligence and the rising number of electric vehicles on the roads. These advancements are estimated to increase energy demand sixfold in the next decade.
And to process all that data, we need energy—preferably clean, renewable, and sustainable.
By 2040, more than 2,000 GW of renewable energy will need to be integrated into the grid. While this is a remarkable achievement, it presents a significant challenge: transitioning from today’s static and continuous energy transmission system to the unpredictability of sustainable energy, which could jeopardize the electrical infrastructure.
Currently, infrastructure operates at 50% of its capacity to prevent line overheating—this is known as the safety threshold. The more energy transported through a cable, the higher its temperature. A sudden overheating event can cause failures, power outages, and even safety risks due to cable expansion and sagging.
The new grid360 application, now integrated into the iris360 platform, is designed to improve power line management, anticipate adverse weather conditions, and maximize energy distribution efficiency.
grid360: Optimizing Energy Management with Hyperlocal Data
Today’s electrical infrastructure operates at 50% capacity to prevent transmission line overheating. However, with better management based on accurate data, it is possible to increase line capacity and address the variability of sustainable energy without the need for costly new infrastructure.
grid360 leverages high-precision meteorological data monitoring to determine the optimal time for energy export, minimizing losses and maximizing efficiency.
How Does the grid360 Digital Twin Work?
Power line capacity is currently calculated using static methods based on conservative estimates. grid360 changes this approach by applying the Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) concept, which dynamically adjusts transmission capacity based on real-time environmental conditions.
Imagine a highway with a fixed number of lanes. As traffic increases, congestion can occur. Instead of building a new highway, DLR functions like an intelligent system that opens and closes additional lanes based on demand and traffic conditions. This optimizes flow without requiring large-scale infrastructure investments.
grid360 monitors meteorological conditions (temperature, wind speed and direction, etc.) using IoT technology to create a digital twin of each power line kilometre by kilometre, with a temporal resolution of one hour. By integrating enhanced WRF algorithmic models, this module calculates the optimal time to inject energy into the grid without compromising its stability.
This enables grid360 to predict how weather conditions will impact transmission over the next 96 hours (extendable to seven days) and optimize grid operation based on future climate scenarios, ensuring the most efficient and cost-effective energy supply for consumers.
Key Benefits of grid360 for the Energy Sector
grid360 can calculate the energy that can be transmitted in a planned manner, providing immense value to companies when determining where and how much energy to source, thereby safeguarding both current and future demand.
- Simulation: Models and simulates complex systems to understand their behaviour.
- Optimization: Identifies improvement opportunities and supports data-driven decision-making.
- Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration between multidisciplinary teams.
- Innovation: Drives the development of new products and services.
Grid operators can visually and efficiently assess energy transport conditions and proactively respond to fluctuations in energy supply and demand, enhancing market productivity and security.
envair360: The Digital Twin for Low Emission Zones
Another major challenge we address through digital twin technology is air quality management. Within iris360, this is achieved via the envair360 application. Cities are hotspots for air pollution and are under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions in line with UN environmental goals. In response, cities with over 50,000 inhabitants are required to implement Low-Emission Zones (LEZs), areas where vehicle access is restricted—a measure that often sparks controversy.
To avoid public dissatisfaction and ensure that implemented measures are the most effective, envair360 enables the creation of a digital twin to aid decision-making. From data modelling to scenario simulation, this application allows authorities to test different measures and assess their impact on specific urban areas, supporting urban planning and LEZ implementation.
How Does envair360 Work?
envair360 uses IoT sensors to monitor air quality in real timereal-time. These sensors collect data on pollutants, meteorological conditions, and other relevant factors. The platform processes this data to create a digital twin of the monitored area, enabling detailed visualization and analysis.
envair360 integrates advanced dispersion models and algorithms, including Munich, Street Canyon, CHIMERE, and WRF, to forecast air quality in the near future. This allows authorities to anticipate pollution peaks and take preventive measures.
Additionally, the platform facilitates LEZ management by allowing authorities to monitor compliance with access restrictions and evaluate the impact of air quality policies.
Benefits of envair360 in Air Quality Management
envair360 provides value to businesses and public administrations by improving air quality and managing LEZs in cities and urban environments.
- Simulation: Models and simulates pollutant dispersion to understand its behaviour, incorporating wind speed and direction models, street intersections, and other city-specific factors (e.g., in Cartagena, the port’s impact is considered).
- Optimization: Identifies opportunities for air quality improvement and supports data-driven decision-making in line with EU measures (e.g., urban speed limits, vehicle access restrictions, bike lane development, etc.).
- Collaboration: Encourages cross-sector collaboration in air quality management, as air quality is a shared responsibility requiring interdepartmental data sharing.
- Innovation: Drives the development of new strategies and business cases to improve air quality, LEZ management, and local economic incentives.
The core philosophy of iris360 is built on modularity and scalability. Each module or application, such as envair360 and grid360, integrates seamlessly into the platform to provide targeted solutions for current and future challenges.
iris360 is more than just a platform—it is an interconnected ecosystem of solutions for sustainability and energy efficiency.
With envair360 optimizing air quality and grid360 maximizing energy transmission efficiency, iris360 equips industries and governments with the tools they need to transform reality through the power of data.
