Digital Energy–2035: Russia Builds an Intelligent Power System for the Future
Russia’s energy sector is on the brink of a large-scale transformation. The government has set a clear objective for the coming decade: by 2035, to create a full digital model of the country’s energy system.
From a Static Model to a “Living” Digital Twin
It is important to understand that this is not about simple digitisation of archives or the creation of three-dimensional visualisations. A full digital model, or digital twin, is a complex cyber-physical system. Under both international and Russian standards, its defining feature is a two-way, dynamic link with the physical asset. This means that a virtual copy of a power plant, substation, or an entire grid receives real-time data from thousands of sensors – temperature, vibration, load – and can also simulate system behaviour, test scenarios, and issue control commands. The shift from fragmented digital models to a single, “living” twin of the entire power system represents a qualitative leap.
Laying the Groundwork: From Plans to Practical Results
Russia is not starting from scratch. A solid foundation has already been laid under the departmental programme “Digital Energy.” The System Operator of the Unified Energy System (SO UES) has created digital information models for all high-voltage grids at 110 kV and above and receives telemetry from them in real time. Practical deployments are already delivering tangible results.
For example, the Stability Margin Monitoring System (SMZU), which operates on digital twin principles, analyses current operating modes and makes it possible to increase the transmission capacity of critical power lines by 10–20%. In Siberia, this translates into up to 700 MW of additional capacity without building new infrastructure, optimising the loading of existing power plants.
Measurable Benefits: From Economics to Reliability
The creation of a comprehensive digital model will deliver concrete, measurable benefits for both the industry and consumers. It enables a shift from scheduled maintenance to condition-based maintenance. The system will predict wear and warn of potential failures, extending the service life of expensive assets and reducing costs.
Intelligent systems built on the digital twin, such as centralised emergency automation, will be able to analyse incidents instantly and automatically issue commands to contain them, minimising the scale and duration of outages.
A unified model will also allow the future development of the power system to be simulated with unprecedented accuracy. This supports optimal placement of new generation and networks, cutting both timelines and costs for project delivery.
Challenges on the Road to 2035 and Strategic Opportunities
Achieving this ambitious goal comes with a complex set of challenges. Massive investment will be required not only in software, but also in modernising physical infrastructure, including the installation of millions of IoT sensors. The skills gap is critical: the sector needs thousands of specialists in data science, cybersecurity, and complex systems integration. Success also depends on flawless data synchronisation among all market participants – generators, grid operators, and suppliers – through common standards.
Once these barriers are overcome, strategic opportunities are unlocked. Successful delivery of the programme would not only guarantee domestic energy security and ease tariff pressure, but also create a strong portfolio of competitive technologies for export. Russian platform solutions, control systems, and experience in building complex cyber-physical systems could find demand on the global market, particularly in countries at the early stages of energy modernisation.
Ultimately, the task set in 2025 is not just a technical project, but a strategic choice that will define Russia’s place in the energy system of the future. The outcome of this digital transformation will determine whether the country can evolve its power sector from a predominantly resource-based system into a technologically advanced, flexible, and intelligent foundation for economic growth.
