Definition
The power system is the collective infrastructure that produces, transmits and distributes electrical energy from generators - hydropowerElectricity produced from the potential energy of falling water - Norway's dominant energy source (~90% of production) with a unique ability to ramp up and down quickly. plants, wind farms, solar installations - to end users. The Norwegian power system is unique in a European context: over 90% of production comes from renewable hydropower, resulting in low CO₂ intensity but high price sensitivity to precipitation levels and reservoir fill rates. The system is structured in three tiers: the central grid (StatnettNorway's system operator for the transmission grid - owns and operates the high-voltage network and operates Elhub., transmission above 132 kV), the regional grid (between the central and distribution grids) and the distribution grid (network operators, to end users). The power system is closely integrated with the Nordic market via Nord PoolNordic electricity exchange where power is traded in the wholesale market - the basis for electricity prices in Norway and the Nordic region. and physical interconnections (subsea cables) to Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The balance between production and consumption is managed by Statnett in real time - a deviation can, in the extreme, threaten grid frequency (50 Hz). It is precisely because the power system is so critical that the IT systems surrounding it - ElhubNational hub for metering data and market processes in the Norwegian electricity market., KISCustomer Information System - the core system at power suppliers and grid companies for customer management and billing., MDMMeter Data Management - system for collection, storage, quality assurance and distribution of metering data from the electricity grid., SCADASupervisory Control and Data Acquisition - system for real-time monitoring and control of industrial processes. - are subject to strict regulation, high SLAService Level Agreement - contract defining guaranteed availability and performance for a service. requirements and rigorous audit.