NoviqTech Delivers Comprehensive Technical Architecture for TROEF Energy Platform
NoviqTech has reached a key milestone in the TROEF project by delivering a comprehensive technical architecture document. TROEF, which stands for “Transparent Reduction of CO2 and Optimization of Energy in a Flexibility Ecosystem,” is an initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and accelerating the energy transition in the Netherlands. As the leader of the Technical Architecture result area, NoviqTech’s contribution outlines the framework to enable buildings and energy communities to efficiently share data, energy, and services on the Internet of Energy.
Business Functions and Roles
At the core of TROEF’s architecture are 24 business functions designed to optimize energy management and reduce CO2 emissions. These functions cover critical activities like flexibility aggregation, charging infrastructure management, dynamic control of energy systems, and network balance. Advanced capabilities include congestion management, CO2 tracking, and energy certificate management through blockchain technology. To enhance usability, the platform also features data visualization and dashboarding tools for energy insights.
The technical architecture defines the use of forecasting technologies for accurate energy predictions and a virtual testing environment (VTE) for simulating energy communities. Secure data exchange and privacy management are also embedded to safeguard information flows.
NoviqTech’s architecture identifies key roles necessary for the platform’s operation, including Aggregators, Charge Point Operators (CPOs), Energy Management System Providers (EMS), and Balance Service Providers (BSPs). These roles collaborate to create a sustainable energy system, with specific responsibilities tied to energy management, infrastructure, and system balance. The inclusion of specialist roles such as Blockchain Specialists for CO2 data tracing and Digital Twin Simulation Providers for scenario modeling adds another layer of sophistication to the system.
System Architecture and Components
The TROEF technical architecture builds on a robust foundation, integrating energy management across buildings, communities, and the broader Internet of Energy. Central to this structure is the Data Services Platform — a flexible middleware that enables seamless data processing and exchange. The architecture employs a containerized, microservices-based approach for scalability and adaptability.
Key system components include energy consumption forecasting, optimized management of charging infrastructure, and blockchain-based services for certifying green energy and CO2 emissions. These elements are essential in achieving the project’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals. The platform is designed as an open system, allowing for future integration with other systems through standardized APIs and communication protocols. This ensures TROEF is prepared to scale and evolve as the energy landscape changes.
The Data Services component of the TROEF architecture plays a crucial role, offering services for data processing, analysis, and visualization. This includes the integration of external data sources and advanced simulation techniques, which significantly enhance the platform’s ability to handle complex energy data.
Data model for Interoperability
A major focus of the technical architecture is the data model, which promotes standardization and flexibility. Given the lack of a comprehensive industry standard, NoviqTech created a data model that ensures interoperability between various systems. The platform’s “loosely coupled” design allows for easy integration or removal of components without disrupting the entire system — critical for future scalability.
TROEF’s data model incorporates smart meter data, energy mix information, CO2 and energy certificates, and weather data. The integration of the EnergyTag standard supports transparency and traceability of green energy, while peer-to-peer energy trading between TROEF communities is enabled through structured data objects.
The data model is built on the ESDL (Energy System Description Language), enhanced with Project Haystack naming conventions. This comprehensive data architecture allows the TROEF platform to manage, analyze, and visualize complex energy data efficiently.
API Specifications and Security Strategy
To facilitate data exchange, TROEF includes an extensive set of APIs, covering a wide range of functions from energy management to user administration. The APIs are designed following the CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) principles, ensuring efficient integration and data management.
A comprehensive security strategy underpins the TROEF platform, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive energy data. The security architecture features layered defenses focusing on access control, data security, and network protection. Modern authentication methods have been implemented to safeguard APIs and data exchanges, critical for the open and integrable nature of the platform.
Proactive security measures, including regular evaluations and tests, ensure the platform remains resilient against evolving cyber threats, providing the reliability needed to manage critical energy data.
Conclusion
NoviqTech’s technical architecture for the TROEF platform is a critical milestone in advancing energy management in the Netherlands. The platform is not only designed to meet current challenges in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction but is also future-proof, allowing for ongoing innovation in the energy sector. Through this architecture, TROEF is well-positioned to contribute to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.
About NoviqTech
NoviqTech (ASX: NVQ) harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and distributed ledger technology to provide trusted and transparent reporting across supply chains, carbon emissions reporting, and guarantee of origin. The NoviqTech brands — Carbon Central and NoviqAI deliver novel and innovative technologies to organisations across the globe in sectors from maritime to regenerative agriculture, empowering them to make more informed decisions, track their carbon emissions with precision, and validate the authenticity of their products’ origins all in real-time.
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