GridGIS D-Twin allows you to digitalise and capture the electrical grid while in the field and maintain an up-to-date digital twin of the low-voltage grid. This solution helps to record assets, topology and connectivity from a tablet, integrating information with GIS to reduce manual errors and improve data quality.
As power networks continue their evolution into smarter, more flexible systems, the tools used to manage them must also advance. The shift from manual surveys and static reports to dynamic, GIS-integrated mobile platforms has become a strategic necessity. A prime example of this transformation is the “Network Capture” capability within GridGIS D-Twin — a robust field app designed to map and maintain digital twins of the electrical infrastructure.
For Field Network Digitalisation (Use Case): GridGIS D-Twin
“Network Capture” refers to the end-to-end process of identifying, geolocating, and registering the electrical topology of networks, including meters, cables, transformers, and intermediate elements like handholes or cabinets, through an intuitive tablet-based app interface specifically designed to support the work of field technicians.
This functionality does more than simplify data collection; it enables utility providers to build, verify, and continuously update an accurate, real-world digital twin of their assets, enhancing visibility and operational control across the grid.
Digitalisation campaigns in the field (GridGIS D-Twin) are engineered to deliver both accuracy and usability. Its Network Capture module includes a comprehensive set of capabilities:
- Automated line rendering: The app dynamically draws electrical connections between transformer centres and associated components, displaying them as layered visuals that mirror the actual field topology.
- In-field editing tools: Field operators can instantly add, reposition, or remove network elements such as meters, junctions, or cabinets. These changes are automatically registered and formatted for GIS compatibility.
- Hardware integration: The system supports connectivity with devices like ILF G2, MRT-700, and high-precision GPS units, ensuring accurate spatial and electrical data capture without manual input.
- Detailed connectivity data: Each asset can be assigned metadata, including phase, feeder, and transformer identifiers, essential for validating and maintaining accurate network models.
Conventional field workflows often involve manual note-taking, transcription, and delayed data processing, all of which increase the risk of errors and data duplication.
- Data is recorded once and transferred seamlessly to GIS platforms without overwriting any current data.
- Export formats like Shapefile and KMZ ensure compatibility with enterprise systems.
- All captured information — topology, coordinates, images, and identifiers, is consolidated within a single environment, usable by both field and office personnel.
This integrated approach significantly enhances data integrity, timeliness, and traceability, enabling smarter, faster decision-making.
Automatic LV topology validation (line/phase).
Electric grid, and especially Low Voltage networks are among the most complex segments of the electrical system. The increasing deployment of smart meters, integration of distributed generation, and customer-driven upgrades all contribute to the need for precise topology mapping.
- Mapping meter replacements during large-scale campaigns
- Identifying incorrect phase or feeder assignments
- Geolocating new connections on-site
- Validating physical topology against GIS models
By facilitating these tasks, the app strengthens operational oversight and supports more resilient, data-driven grid planning.
Utilities leveraging GridGIS D-Twin’s Network Capture report:
- A reduction in time spent on fieldwork, due to streamlined workflows
- Elimination of manual data entry errors
- Faster alignment between physical network updates and GIS records
Moreover, the system’s structured data format promotes better coordination across departments, from maintenance and planning to asset management, fostering a unified approach to network optimisation.
GridGIS D-Twin’s Network Capture functionality is more than a software feature — it’s a strategic tool for grid modernisation. It empowers electrical utilities to create and maintain accurate, georeferenced digital twins of their networks, with minimal friction and maximum precision.
As power systems become more dynamic and data-driven, the ability to capture, validate, and synchronise field data is no longer optional, it’s foundational. GridGIS D-Twin helps utilities meet this challenge head-on, improving not just efficiency, but confidence in every operational decision.
