ASSESSMENT OF THE READINESS OF THE KAZAKHSTANI ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS FOR DIGITALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL IN PREPARATION FOR DIGITALIZATION

Abstract

This report addresses the increasing significance of digitalization in the energy sector and the pivotal role that the Common Information Model (CIM) plays in realizing this objective. Kazakhstan, a developing nation with a growing economy, recognizes the importance of digitalizing its energy sector to enhance its efficacy and sustainability. The current project seeks to evaluate various factors that impact the degree of digitalization in industrial organizations and at the level of individual companies. This endeavor begins with examining the grid reference architecture implementation at the Astana REC. The project's scope encompasses a literature review, an analysis of international best practices, and data collection from REC Astana to construct and test a mathematical model for optimizing network performance while minimizing power losses. This is conducted as a component of the inquiry to determine potential roadblocks to algorithm implementation. The primary deliverables of the project include suggestions for industry organizations and a benchmarking system to assess a company's preparedness for digitalization. The proliferation of digital technologies in the energy sector has transformed traditional business models and operations. Digitalization offers multiple benefits to the energy industry, including greater efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. In Kazakhstan, the government's strategy for sustainable economic growth acknowledges the need to digitalize its energy sector to improve productivity and reduce costs. However, achieving this goal requires a comprehensive understanding of the digitalization process and the challenges that must be overcome. The Common Information Model (CIM) is essential for digitalizing the energy sector. CIM is a standardized model for representing power system components and their interactions, which provides a common language for system operators and software developers. The adoption of CIM facilitates the integration of various digital applications into the energy sector and enables interoperability between different systems. CIM is a foundational framework for developing smart grid systems, which support efficient management of power networks, reduce power losses, and enable real-time data analysis. 3 The project methodology includes a literature review of academic papers and industry reports on digitalization in the energy sector. The literature review provides an overview of current research and best practices for digitalization. Analyzing international best practices in digitalization offers valuable insights into successful strategies that can be implemented in Kazakhstan's energy sector. The case study analysis of REC Astana provides a detailed examination of the organization's digitalization process. The case study evaluates the smart grid reference architecture implementation and the challenges encountered in the process. The case study analysis forms the basis for developing the mathematical model for reducing power losses. The project results contribute to the identification of bottlenecks and opportunities in the digitalization process and assess industry organizations' readiness for digitalization. The recommendations for industry organizations provide a roadmap for digital transformation, while the benchmarking system enables the assessment of a company's preparedness for digitalization. The project's outcomes are valuable for Kazakhstan's energy sector and contribute to the country's broader sustainable economic development goals.