
The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) plays a central role in the Horizon Europe HAVEN project, contributing to the integration, validation, and forecasting aspects of the Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) under development.
As part of our interview series highlighting the work of key HAVEN partners, we spoke with MASEN to learn more about their role in the project, the technical innovations they are developing, and the challenges they are tackling.
Q: What are the main tasks and activities MASEN is responsible for within HAVEN?
At MASEN, we are deeply involved in the HAVEN project as a demonstration partner. One of our central roles is leading Virtual Use Case #1 (vUC#1), where we aim to experimentally verify and validate the effectiveness of HAVEN’s Digital Twin (DT) and assess the integration of the Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS).
Our work extends to Work Package 2, where we are in charge of developing forecasting models for resource and power output. These models include statistical techniques, AI-based approaches, and numerical weather prediction (NWP), all tailored to meet the operational time horizons of the Energy Management System (EMS).
We’re also focusing on fault classification by creating a data-driven methodology that incorporates State-of-X (SoX) indicators and impedance data. This will allow us to identify and anticipate system faults more accurately.
Q: What challenges have you encountered while working on the HAVEN project?
There are certainly technical challenges, particularly in our work with the Digital Twin. One of the main issues is ensuring model compatibility. The DT developed for the HESS must integrate seamlessly with our virtual R&D platform. Achieving this level of alignment while maintaining precision is demanding.
Another challenge lies in communication and synchronisation between modules. The DT must interact in real-time with the MATLAB/Simulink environment, and when multiple components are exchanging data, this can occasionally cause communication errors or delays.
Finally, the reliability of the simulation environment itself can be a concern. The MATLAB/Simulink platform, while powerful, can become unstable during extended or particularly complex simulations. Ensuring smooth, uninterrupted operation requires careful monitoring and frequent adjustments.
Q: How do you see MASEN’s contribution impacting the overall HAVEN objectives?
Our role is primarily focused on ensuring the digital and operational layers of the HAVEN system are robust, reliable, and ready for future deployment. Whether it’s improving forecasting accuracy, validating system behaviour through our virtual demonstration, or enabling early fault detection, our aim is to strengthen the core technologies and ensure they’re adaptable across different real-world scenarios.
To learn more about MASEN’s work in sustainable energy innovation, visit www.masen.ma.