The Workstreams in Project Merlin, structured as six Work-Packages (WP1–WP6), represent a phased framework of interconnected initiatives that drive the project's execution from foundational planning to real-world application and dissemination. They are essential to tackle the complexities of DER integration by ensuring systematic progress: coordinating resources, standardizing data, conducting rigorous analyses, testing solutions in simulations and trials, refining economic policies, and sharing insights to influence broader industry practices. Collectively, these Workstreams enable evidence-based strategies to minimize network costs, enhance flexibility markets, and support sustainable energy transitions, addressing gaps in current tools and policies for managing evolving grid dynamics.
Workstreams 1-6
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WP1 involves ongoing project management activities.
The key tasks include:
- Developing the deployment plan for the operation phase where the solutions will be tested via a trial.
- Ongoing project management and creation of monthly status reports.
- Coordination of the Project Delivery Board and Project Steering Board.
- Liaison with Open Networks Project.
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WP2 involves converting the network model(s) in the project into a standardised open data format known as the Common Information Model (CIM).
The key tasks include:
- Evaluating network model standards.
- Obtaining SSEN and Hydro Ottawa network models, and converting the network models into CIM standard.
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WP3 involves completing power systems and economic analyses of the networks using Opus One’s GridOS platforms.
The key tasks include:
- Evaluating the Open Networks outputs to develop a structure that reflects a ‘path of least regrets’.
- Developing a distributed energy resource (DER) valuation mechanism based on investment planning economics and market analysis.
- Running baseline scenario analyses on the network models in the GridOS Integrated Distribution Planning (IDP) tool e.g. Time-series power flow and hosting capacity.
- Customising the GridOS IDP software platform with techno-economic features.
- Defining a set of investment scenarios for the networks based on the GridOS analysis results and the DER valuation mechanism.
- Simulating the investment planning scenarios in GridOS IDP.
- Customising the GridOS Transactive Energy Management (TEM) software platform.
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WP4 involves studying distribution planning economics and pricing methodologies to define the optimum UK solution:
The key tasks include:
- Evaluating policy barriers, and distribution planning & utility standards in Canada, Europe and the UK.
- Defining the transactional energy market structure (e.g., rules, regulations, design, etc) through a series of workshops with other industry demonstrator projects.
- Reviewing the Distribution Locational Marginal Pricing (DLMP) methodology developed for Hydro Ottawa in the Independent Electricity System Operatory (IESO) project.
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WP5 involves running the demonstrator simulation in Fort William and physical trial in Oxfordshire.
The key tasks include:
- Completing a flexibility market simulation in Fort William and use of power systems economic principals to optimise for long term sustainability.
- Completing a flexibility market trial in Oxfordshire and use of power systems economic principals to optimise for long term sustainability. GridOS to act as flexibility exchange and conduct the required economic analysis.
- Customer engagement to ensure quantitative and qualitative representation and that there is a feedback loop between runs to ensure the consumer impact is understood.
- Coordinate with Hydro Ottawa trial.
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WP6 involves dissemination and knowledge transfer activities.
The key tasks include:
- Publishing press releases.
- Writing and publishing academic research papers.
- Coordination of the Project Delivery Board and Project Steering Board.
- Showcasing the project at industry events.