diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index b812f78..f3cda35 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Change Log
 --------
 - [refacto] have a structure in cpp for the buses
 - [refacto] have the id_grid_to_solver and id_solver_to_grid etc. directly in the solver and NOT in the gridmodel.
+- [refacto] put some method in the DataGeneric as well as some attribute (_status for example)
 - support 3w trafo (as modeled in pandapower)
 - improve speed by not performing internal checks 
   (keep check for boundaries and all for python API instead) [see `TODO DEBUG MODE` in c++ code]
@@ -13,8 +14,6 @@ Change Log
 - a mode to do both `Computer` and `SecurityAnalysisCPP`
 - use the "multi slack hack" (see issue #50) for SecurityAnalysis or Computer for example
 - code `helm` powerflow method
-- possibility to read CGMES files
-- possibility to read XIIDM files
 - interface with gridpack (to enforce q limits for example)
 - maybe have a look at suitesparse "sliplu" tools ?
 - easier building (get rid of the "make" part)
@@ -30,8 +29,9 @@ Change Log
   these cases.
 - [ADDED] sets of methods to extract the main component of a grid and perform powerflow only on this
   one.
+- [ADDED] possibility to set / retrieve the names of each elements of the grid.
 - [IMPROVED] now performing the new grid2op `create_test_suite` 
-- [IMPROVED] now lightsim2grid properly throw BackendError
+- [IMPROVED] now lightsim2grid properly throw `BackendError`
 
 [0.7.5] 2023-10-05
 --------------------
diff --git a/lightsim2grid/gridmodel/from_pypowsybl.py b/lightsim2grid/gridmodel/from_pypowsybl.py
index 3e1b703..39d2a2d 100644
--- a/lightsim2grid/gridmodel/from_pypowsybl.py
+++ b/lightsim2grid/gridmodel/from_pypowsybl.py
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ def _aux_get_bus(bus_df, df, conn_key="connected", bus_key="bus_id"):
     tmp_bus_id[mask_disco] = df.iloc[first_el_co][bus_key]  # assign a "random" bus to disco element
     bus_id = bus_df.loc[tmp_bus_id.values]["bus_id"].values
     # deactivate the element not on the main component
-    wrong_component = bus_df.loc[tmp_bus_id.values]["connected_component"].values != 0
-    mask_disco[wrong_component] = True
+    # wrong_component = bus_df.loc[tmp_bus_id.values]["connected_component"].values != 0
+    # mask_disco[wrong_component] = True
     # assign bus -1 to disconnected elements
     bus_id[mask_disco] = -1
     return bus_id , mask_disco.values
@@ -38,8 +38,11 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
          slack_bus_id: int = None,
          sn_mva = 100.,
          sort_index=True,
-         f_hz = 50.):
+         f_hz = 50.,
+         only_main_component=True):
     model = GridModel()
+    # model.set_f_hz(f_hz)
+    
     # for substation
     # network.get_voltage_levels()["substation_id"]
     # network.get_substations()
@@ -84,6 +87,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for gen_id, is_disco in enumerate(gen_disco):
         if is_disco:
             model.deactivate_gen(gen_id)
+    model.set_gen_names(df_gen.index)        
         
     # for loads
     if sort_index:
@@ -98,6 +102,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for load_id, is_disco in enumerate(load_disco):
         if is_disco:
             model.deactivate_load(load_id)
+    model.set_load_names(df_load.index)     
     
     # for lines
     if sort_index:
@@ -141,6 +146,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for line_id, (is_or_disc, is_ex_disc) in enumerate(zip(lor_disco, lex_disco)):
         if is_or_disc or is_ex_disc:
             model.deactivate_powerline(line_id)
+    model.set_line_names(df_line.index)     
             
     # for trafo
     if sort_index:
@@ -176,6 +182,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for t_id, (is_or_disc, is_ex_disc) in enumerate(zip(tor_disco, tex_disco)):
         if is_or_disc or is_ex_disc:
             model.deactivate_trafo(t_id)
+    model.set_trafo_names(df_trafo.index)     
     
     # for shunt
     if sort_index:
@@ -192,6 +199,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for shunt_id, disco in enumerate(sh_disco):
         if disco:
            model.deactivate_shunt(shunt_id) 
+    model.set_shunt_names(df_trafo.index)     
            
     # for hvdc (TODO not tested yet)
     df_dc = net.get_hvdc_lines().sort_index()
@@ -218,6 +226,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for hvdc_id, (is_or_disc, is_ex_disc) in enumerate(zip(hvdc_from_disco, hvdc_to_disco)):
         if is_or_disc or is_ex_disc:
             model.deactivate_hvdc(hvdc_id)
+    model.set_dcline_names(df_sations.index)   
                 
     # storage units  (TODO not tested yet)
     if sort_index:
@@ -232,6 +241,7 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
     for batt_id, disco in enumerate(batt_disco):
         if disco:
            model.deactivate_storage(batt_id) 
+    model.set_storage_names(df_batt.index)   
 
     # TODO dist slack
     if gen_slack_id is None and slack_bus_id is None:
@@ -262,6 +272,6 @@ def init(net : pypo.network,
         # raise RuntimeError("Impossible currently to init a grid with tap changers at the moment.")
         
     # and now deactivate all elements and nodes not in the main component
-    # TODO DC LINE: one side might be in the connected comp and not the other !
-    model.consider_only_main_component()
+    if only_main_component:
+        model.consider_only_main_component()
     return model
diff --git a/src/DataDCLine.cpp b/src/DataDCLine.cpp
index 4569456..977f961 100644
--- a/src/DataDCLine.cpp
+++ b/src/DataDCLine.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ DataDCLine::StateRes DataDCLine::get_state() const
     std::vector<real_type> loss_percent(loss_percent_.begin(), loss_percent_.end());
     std::vector<real_type> loss_mw(loss_mw_.begin(), loss_mw_.end());
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
-    DataDCLine::StateRes res(from_gen_.get_state(),
+    DataDCLine::StateRes res(names_,
+                             from_gen_.get_state(),
                              to_gen_.get_state(),
                              loss_percent,
                              loss_mw,
@@ -25,11 +26,12 @@ DataDCLine::StateRes DataDCLine::get_state() const
 
 void DataDCLine::set_state(DataDCLine::StateRes & my_state){
     reset_results();
-    from_gen_.set_state(std::get<0>(my_state));
-    to_gen_.set_state(std::get<1>(my_state));
-    std::vector<real_type> & loss_percent = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & loss_mw = std::get<3>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    from_gen_.set_state(std::get<1>(my_state));
+    to_gen_.set_state(std::get<2>(my_state));
+    std::vector<real_type> & loss_percent = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & loss_mw = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<5>(my_state);
     status_ = status;
     loss_percent_ = RealVect::Map(&loss_percent[0], loss_percent.size());
     loss_mw_ = RealVect::Map(&loss_mw[0], loss_percent.size());
diff --git a/src/DataDCLine.h b/src/DataDCLine.h
index 042791c..fbcba63 100644
--- a/src/DataDCLine.h
+++ b/src/DataDCLine.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class DataDCLine : public DataGeneric
             public:
                 // members
                 int id;  // id of the dcline
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_or_id;
                 int bus_ex_id;
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ class DataDCLine : public DataGeneric
 
                 DCLineInfo(const DataDCLine & r_data_dcline, int my_id):
                     id(-1),
+                    name(""),
                     connected(false),
                     bus_or_id(-1),
                     bus_ex_id(-1),
@@ -76,6 +78,9 @@ class DataDCLine : public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_dcline.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_dcline.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_dcline.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         loss_pct = r_data_dcline.loss_percent_(my_id);
                         loss_mw = r_data_dcline.loss_mw_(my_id);
 
@@ -108,6 +113,7 @@ class DataDCLine : public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+               std::vector<std::string>,
                DataGen::StateRes,
                DataGen::StateRes,
                std::vector<double>, // loss_percent
diff --git a/src/DataGen.cpp b/src/DataGen.cpp
index 3d06445..b110ff5 100644
--- a/src/DataGen.cpp
+++ b/src/DataGen.cpp
@@ -58,25 +58,25 @@ DataGen::StateRes DataGen::get_state() const
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
      std::vector<bool> slack_bus = gen_slackbus_;
      std::vector<real_type> slack_weight = gen_slack_weight_;
-     DataGen::StateRes res(turnedoff_gen_pv_, p_mw, vm_pu, min_q, max_q, bus_id, status, slack_bus, slack_weight);
+     DataGen::StateRes res(names_, turnedoff_gen_pv_, p_mw, vm_pu, min_q, max_q, bus_id, status, slack_bus, slack_weight);
      return res;
 }
 
-void DataGen::set_state(DataGen::StateRes & my_state )
+void DataGen::set_state(DataGen::StateRes & my_state)
 {
     reset_results();
-    
-    turnedoff_gen_pv_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    turnedoff_gen_pv_ = std::get<1>(my_state);
 
     // the generators themelves
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & vm_pu = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & min_q = std::get<3>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & max_q = std::get<4>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<5>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<6>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & slack_bus = std::get<7>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & slack_weight = std::get<8>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & vm_pu = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & min_q = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & max_q = std::get<5>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<6>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<7>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & slack_bus = std::get<8>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & slack_weight = std::get<9>(my_state);
     // TODO check sizes
 
     // input data
diff --git a/src/DataGen.h b/src/DataGen.h
index a4c41cd..d125bf2 100644
--- a/src/DataGen.h
+++ b/src/DataGen.h
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ class DataGen: public DataGeneric
             // members
             // TODO add some const here (value should not be changed !) !!!
             int id;  // id of the generator
+            std::string name;
             bool connected;
             int bus_id;
             bool is_slack;
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ class DataGen: public DataGeneric
 
             GenInfo(const DataGen & r_data_gen, int my_id):
             id(-1),
+            name(""),
             connected(false),
             bus_id(-1),
             is_slack(false),
@@ -73,6 +75,9 @@ class DataGen: public DataGeneric
                 if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_gen.nb()))
                 {
                     id = my_id;
+                    if(r_data_gen.names_.size()){
+                        name = r_data_gen.names_[my_id];
+                    }
                     connected = r_data_gen.status_[my_id];
                     bus_id = r_data_gen.bus_id_[my_id];
                     is_slack = r_data_gen.gen_slackbus_[my_id];
@@ -101,6 +106,7 @@ class DataGen: public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+       std::vector<std::string>,
        bool,
        std::vector<real_type>, // p_mw
        std::vector<real_type>, // vm_pu_
diff --git a/src/DataGeneric.h b/src/DataGeneric.h
index 85e8e1e..e3ccd6b 100644
--- a/src/DataGeneric.h
+++ b/src/DataGeneric.h
@@ -98,9 +98,15 @@ class DataGeneric : public BaseConstants
         virtual void get_graph(std::vector<Eigen::Triplet<real_type> > & res) const {};
         virtual void disconnect_if_not_in_main_component(std::vector<bool> & busbar_in_main_component) {};
 
+        void set_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            names_ = names;
+        }
+        
         /**"define" the destructor for compliance with clang (otherwise lots of warnings)**/
         virtual ~DataGeneric() {};
-        
+    protected:
+        std::vector<std::string> names_;
+
     protected:
         /**
         activation / deactivation of elements
diff --git a/src/DataLine.cpp b/src/DataLine.cpp
index 541df7d..2f63c5b 100644
--- a/src/DataLine.cpp
+++ b/src/DataLine.cpp
@@ -77,20 +77,20 @@ DataLine::StateRes DataLine::get_state() const
      std::vector<int > branch_from_id(bus_or_id_.begin(), bus_or_id_.end());
      std::vector<int > branch_to_id(bus_ex_id_.begin(), bus_ex_id_.end());
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
-     DataLine::StateRes res(branch_r, branch_x, branch_hor, branch_hex, branch_from_id, branch_to_id, status);
+     DataLine::StateRes res(names_, branch_r, branch_x, branch_hor, branch_hex, branch_from_id, branch_to_id, status);
      return res;
 }
 void DataLine::set_state(DataLine::StateRes & my_state)
 {
     reset_results();
-
-    std::vector<real_type> & branch_r = std::get<0>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & branch_x = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<cplx_type > & branch_h_or = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<cplx_type > & branch_h_ex = std::get<3>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & branch_from_id = std::get<4>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & branch_to_id = std::get<5>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<6>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & branch_r = std::get<1>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & branch_x = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<cplx_type > & branch_h_or = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<cplx_type > & branch_h_ex = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & branch_from_id = std::get<5>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & branch_to_id = std::get<6>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<7>(my_state);
     // TODO check sizes
 
     // now assign the values
diff --git a/src/DataLine.h b/src/DataLine.h
index 85ecd4f..08dd20d 100644
--- a/src/DataLine.h
+++ b/src/DataLine.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class DataLine : public DataGeneric
             public:
                 // members
                 int id;  // id of the line
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_or_id;
                 int bus_ex_id;
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ class DataLine : public DataGeneric
 
                 LineInfo(const DataLine & r_data_line, int my_id):
                 id(my_id),
+                name(""),
                 connected(false),
                 bus_or_id(-1),
                 bus_ex_id(-1),
@@ -84,6 +86,9 @@ class DataLine : public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_line.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_line.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_line.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         connected = r_data_line.status_[my_id];
                         bus_or_id = r_data_line.bus_or_id_.coeff(my_id);
                         bus_ex_id = r_data_line.bus_ex_id_.coeff(my_id);
@@ -117,6 +122,7 @@ class DataLine : public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+               std::vector<std::string>,
                std::vector<real_type>, // branch_r
                std::vector<real_type>, // branch_x
                std::vector<cplx_type>, // branch_h
diff --git a/src/DataLoad.cpp b/src/DataLoad.cpp
index 041d53e..e29249b 100644
--- a/src/DataLoad.cpp
+++ b/src/DataLoad.cpp
@@ -26,17 +26,17 @@ DataLoad::StateRes DataLoad::get_state() const
      std::vector<real_type> q_mvar(q_mvar_.begin(), q_mvar_.end());
      std::vector<int> bus_id(bus_id_.begin(), bus_id_.end());
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
-     DataLoad::StateRes res(p_mw, q_mvar, bus_id, status);
+     DataLoad::StateRes res(names_, p_mw, q_mvar, bus_id, status);
      return res;
 }
 void DataLoad::set_state(DataLoad::StateRes & my_state )
 {
     reset_results();
-
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<0>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<1>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<4>(my_state);
     // TODO check sizes
 
     // input data
diff --git a/src/DataLoad.h b/src/DataLoad.h
index aebd6b5..f4d7689 100644
--- a/src/DataLoad.h
+++ b/src/DataLoad.h
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ class DataLoad : public DataGeneric
                 // members
                 // TODO add some const here (value should not be changed !) !!!
                 int id;  // id of the generator
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_id;
 
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class DataLoad : public DataGeneric
 
                 LoadInfo(const DataLoad & r_data_load, int my_id):
                 id(-1),
+                name(""),
                 connected(false),
                 bus_id(-1),
                 target_p_mw(0.),
@@ -70,6 +72,9 @@ class DataLoad : public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_load.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_load.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_load.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         connected = r_data_load.status_[my_id];
                         bus_id = r_data_load.bus_id_[my_id];
 
@@ -112,6 +117,7 @@ class DataLoad : public DataGeneric
     // regular implementation
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+       std::vector<std::string>,
        std::vector<real_type>, // p_mw
        std::vector<real_type>, // q_mvar
        std::vector<int>, // bus_id
diff --git a/src/DataSGen.cpp b/src/DataSGen.cpp
index dc9a2b8..3b46038 100644
--- a/src/DataSGen.cpp
+++ b/src/DataSGen.cpp
@@ -44,22 +44,23 @@ DataSGen::StateRes DataSGen::get_state() const
      std::vector<real_type> q_max(q_max_mvar_.begin(), q_max_mvar_.end());
      std::vector<int> bus_id(bus_id_.begin(), bus_id_.end());
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
-     DataSGen::StateRes res(p_mw, q_mvar, p_min, p_max, q_min, q_max, bus_id, status);
+     DataSGen::StateRes res(names_, p_mw, q_mvar, p_min, p_max, q_min, q_max, bus_id, status);
      return res;
 }
 
 void DataSGen::set_state(DataSGen::StateRes & my_state )
 {
     reset_results();
-
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<0>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_min = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_max = std::get<3>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & q_min = std::get<4>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & q_max = std::get<5>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<6>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<7>(my_state);
+    
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<1>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_min = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_max = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & q_min = std::get<5>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & q_max = std::get<6>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<7>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<8>(my_state);
     auto size = p_mw.size();
     DataGeneric::check_size(p_mw, size, "p_mw");
     DataGeneric::check_size(q_mvar, size, "q_mvar");
diff --git a/src/DataSGen.h b/src/DataSGen.h
index c2a5c7e..3d45b93 100644
--- a/src/DataSGen.h
+++ b/src/DataSGen.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ class DataSGen: public DataGeneric
                 // members
                 // TODO add some const here (value should not be changed !) !!!
                 int id;  // id of the generator
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_id;
 
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ class DataSGen: public DataGeneric
 
                 SGenInfo(const DataSGen & r_data_sgen, int my_id):
                 id(-1),
+                name(""),
                 connected(false),
                 bus_id(-1),
                 min_q_mvar(0.),
@@ -78,6 +80,9 @@ class DataSGen: public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_sgen.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_sgen.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_sgen.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         connected = r_data_sgen.status_[my_id];
                         bus_id = r_data_sgen.bus_id_[my_id];
 
@@ -124,6 +129,7 @@ class DataSGen: public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+       std::vector<std::string>,
        std::vector<real_type>, // p_mw
        std::vector<real_type>, // q_mvar
        std::vector<real_type>, // p_min
diff --git a/src/DataShunt.cpp b/src/DataShunt.cpp
index 42e057f..42a03f8 100644
--- a/src/DataShunt.cpp
+++ b/src/DataShunt.cpp
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@ DataShunt::StateRes DataShunt::get_state() const
      std::vector<real_type> q_mvar(q_mvar_.begin(), q_mvar_.end());
      std::vector<int> bus_id(bus_id_.begin(), bus_id_.end());
      std::vector<bool> status = status_;
-     DataShunt::StateRes res(p_mw, q_mvar, bus_id, status);
+     DataShunt::StateRes res(names_, p_mw, q_mvar, bus_id, status);
      return res;
 }
 
 void DataShunt::set_state(DataShunt::StateRes & my_state )
 {
     reset_results();
-
-    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<0>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & p_mw = std::get<1>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & q_mvar = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_id = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<4>(my_state);
     // TODO check sizes
 
     // input data
diff --git a/src/DataShunt.h b/src/DataShunt.h
index 31e030c..1096a57 100644
--- a/src/DataShunt.h
+++ b/src/DataShunt.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class DataShunt : public DataGeneric
                 // members
                 // TODO add some const here (value should not be changed !) !!!
                 int id;  // id of the generator
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_id;
 
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ class DataShunt : public DataGeneric
 
                 ShuntInfo(const DataShunt & r_data_shunt, int my_id):
                 id(-1),
+                name(""),
                 connected(false),
                 bus_id(-1),
                 target_p_mw(0.),
@@ -64,6 +66,9 @@ class DataShunt : public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_shunt.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_shunt.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_shunt.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         connected = r_data_shunt.status_[my_id];
                         bus_id = r_data_shunt.bus_id_[my_id];
 
@@ -105,6 +110,7 @@ class DataShunt : public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+           std::vector<std::string>, 
            std::vector<real_type>, // p_mw
            std::vector<real_type>, // q_mvar
            std::vector<int>, // bus_id
diff --git a/src/DataTrafo.cpp b/src/DataTrafo.cpp
index 568f0e9..22cdce1 100644
--- a/src/DataTrafo.cpp
+++ b/src/DataTrafo.cpp
@@ -65,22 +65,23 @@ DataTrafo::StateRes DataTrafo::get_state() const
      std::vector<real_type> ratio(ratio_.begin(), ratio_.end());
      std::vector<real_type> shift(shift_.begin(), shift_.end());
      std::vector<bool> is_tap_hv_side = is_tap_hv_side_;
-     DataTrafo::StateRes res(branch_r, branch_x, branch_h, bus_hv_id, bus_lv_id, status, ratio, is_tap_hv_side, shift);
+     DataTrafo::StateRes res(names_, branch_r, branch_x, branch_h, bus_hv_id, bus_lv_id, status, ratio, is_tap_hv_side, shift);
      return res;
 }
 void DataTrafo::set_state(DataTrafo::StateRes & my_state)
 {
     reset_results();
 
-    std::vector<real_type> & branch_r = std::get<0>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & branch_x = std::get<1>(my_state);
-    std::vector<cplx_type> & branch_h = std::get<2>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_hv_id = std::get<3>(my_state);
-    std::vector<int> & bus_lv_id = std::get<4>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<5>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & ratio = std::get<6>(my_state);
-    std::vector<bool> & is_tap_hv_side = std::get<7>(my_state);
-    std::vector<real_type> & shift = std::get<8>(my_state);
+    names_ = std::get<0>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & branch_r = std::get<1>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & branch_x = std::get<2>(my_state);
+    std::vector<cplx_type> & branch_h = std::get<3>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_hv_id = std::get<4>(my_state);
+    std::vector<int> & bus_lv_id = std::get<5>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & status = std::get<6>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & ratio = std::get<7>(my_state);
+    std::vector<bool> & is_tap_hv_side = std::get<8>(my_state);
+    std::vector<real_type> & shift = std::get<9>(my_state);
 
     auto size = branch_r.size();
     DataGeneric::check_size(branch_r, size, "branch_r");
diff --git a/src/DataTrafo.h b/src/DataTrafo.h
index f162f60..5afc240 100644
--- a/src/DataTrafo.h
+++ b/src/DataTrafo.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class DataTrafo : public DataGeneric
             public:
                 // members
                 int id;  // id of the generator
+                std::string name;
                 bool connected;
                 int bus_hv_id;
                 int bus_lv_id;
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ class DataTrafo : public DataGeneric
 
                 TrafoInfo(const DataTrafo & r_data_trafo, int my_id):
                 id(-1),
+                name(""),
                 connected(false),
                 bus_hv_id(-1),
                 bus_lv_id(-1),
@@ -86,6 +88,9 @@ class DataTrafo : public DataGeneric
                     if((my_id >= 0) & (my_id < r_data_trafo.nb()))
                     {
                         id = my_id;
+                        if(r_data_trafo.names_.size()){
+                            name = r_data_trafo.names_[my_id];
+                        }
                         connected = r_data_trafo.status_[my_id];
                         bus_hv_id = r_data_trafo.bus_hv_id_.coeff(my_id);
                         bus_lv_id = r_data_trafo.bus_lv_id_.coeff(my_id);
@@ -120,6 +125,7 @@ class DataTrafo : public DataGeneric
 
     public:
     typedef std::tuple<
+               std::vector<std::string>,
                std::vector<real_type>, // branch_r
                std::vector<real_type>, // branch_x
                std::vector<cplx_type >, // branch_h
diff --git a/src/GridModel.h b/src/GridModel.h
index 1b45073..28740fd 100644
--- a/src/GridModel.h
+++ b/src/GridModel.h
@@ -286,6 +286,31 @@ class GridModel : public DataGeneric
         const DataShunt & get_shunts() const {return shunts_;}
         const std::vector<bool> & get_bus_status() const {return bus_status_;}
         
+        void set_line_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            powerlines_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_dcline_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            dc_lines_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_trafo_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            trafos_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_gen_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            generators_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_load_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            loads_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_storage_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            storages_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_sgen_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            sgens_.set_names(names);
+        }
+        void set_shunt_names(const std::vector<std::string> & names){
+            shunts_.set_names(names);
+        }
+
         //deactivate a powerline (disconnect it)
         void deactivate_powerline(int powerline_id) {powerlines_.deactivate(powerline_id, topo_changed_); }
         void reactivate_powerline(int powerline_id) {powerlines_.reactivate(powerline_id, topo_changed_); }
diff --git a/src/help_fun_msg.cpp b/src/help_fun_msg.cpp
index 6a3fe40..a33c1b6 100644
--- a/src/help_fun_msg.cpp
+++ b/src/help_fun_msg.cpp
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ const std::string DocSolver::get_computation_time = R"mydelimiter(
 )mydelimiter";
 
 const std::string DocIterator::id = R"mydelimiter(
-    Get the ideas of the element. Ids are integer from 0 to n-1 (if `n` denotes the number of such elements on the grid.)
+    Get the id of the element. Ids are integer from 0 to n-1 (if `n` denotes the number of such elements on the grid.)
 
     Examples
     --------
@@ -657,6 +657,34 @@ const std::string DocIterator::id = R"mydelimiter(
 
 )mydelimiter";
 
+const std::string DocIterator::name = R"mydelimiter(
+    Get the name of the element. Names are string that should be unique. But if you really want things unique, use the `id`
+
+    .. warning::
+        Names are optional and might not be set when reading the grid. 
+
+    Examples
+    --------
+    We give the example only for generators, but it works similarly for every other types of objects
+    in a :class:`lightsim2grid.gridmodel.GridModel`.
+    
+    This gives something like:
+
+    .. code-block:: python
+
+        import grid2op
+        from lightsim2grid import LightSimBackend
+
+        env_name = ... # eg. "l2rpn_case14_test"
+        env = grid2op.make(env_name, backend=LightSimBackend())
+
+        grid_model = env.backend._grid
+
+        first_gen = grid_model.get_generators()[0]  # or get_loads for loads, etc.
+        first_gen.name 
+
+)mydelimiter";
+
 const std::string DocIterator::connected = R"mydelimiter(
     Get the status (True = connected, False = disconnected) of each element of a :class:`lightsim2grid.gridmodel.GridModel`
 
diff --git a/src/help_fun_msg.h b/src/help_fun_msg.h
index 17fa719..3f503b1 100644
--- a/src/help_fun_msg.h
+++ b/src/help_fun_msg.h
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ struct DocIterator
     // generic functions
     static const std::string only_avail_res;
     static const std::string id;
+    static const std::string name;
     static const std::string connected;
     static const std::string bus_id;
     static const std::string target_p_mw;
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index d0918d0..88221a8 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -405,6 +405,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataGen::GenInfo>(m, "GenInfo", DocIterator::GenInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataGen::GenInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataGen::GenInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataGen::GenInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_id", &DataGen::GenInfo::bus_id, DocIterator::bus_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("is_slack", &DataGen::GenInfo::is_slack, DocIterator::is_slack.c_str())
@@ -429,6 +430,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataSGen::SGenInfo>(m, "SGenInfo", DocIterator::SGenInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataSGen::SGenInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataSGen::SGenInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataSGen::SGenInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_id", &DataSGen::SGenInfo::bus_id, DocIterator::bus_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("min_q_mvar", &DataSGen::SGenInfo::min_q_mvar, DocIterator::min_q_mvar.c_str())
@@ -453,6 +455,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataLoad::LoadInfo>(m, "LoadInfo", DocIterator::LoadInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataLoad::LoadInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataLoad::LoadInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataLoad::LoadInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_id", &DataLoad::LoadInfo::bus_id, DocIterator::bus_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("target_p_mw", &DataLoad::LoadInfo::target_p_mw, DocIterator::target_p_mw.c_str())
@@ -473,6 +476,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataShunt::ShuntInfo>(m, "ShuntInfo", DocIterator::ShuntInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataShunt::ShuntInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataShunt::ShuntInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataShunt::ShuntInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_id", &DataShunt::ShuntInfo::bus_id, DocIterator::bus_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("target_p_mw", &DataShunt::ShuntInfo::target_p_mw, DocIterator::target_p_mw.c_str())
@@ -493,6 +497,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataTrafo::TrafoInfo>(m, "TrafoInfo", DocIterator::TrafoInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataTrafo::TrafoInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataTrafo::TrafoInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataTrafo::TrafoInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_hv_id", &DataTrafo::TrafoInfo::bus_hv_id, DocIterator::bus_hv_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_lv_id", &DataTrafo::TrafoInfo::bus_lv_id, DocIterator::bus_lv_id.c_str())
@@ -524,6 +529,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataLine::LineInfo>(m, "LineInfo", DocIterator::LineInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataLine::LineInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataLine::LineInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataLine::LineInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_or_id", &DataLine::LineInfo::bus_or_id, DocIterator::bus_or_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_ex_id", &DataLine::LineInfo::bus_ex_id, DocIterator::bus_ex_id.c_str())
@@ -554,6 +560,7 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
 
     py::class_<DataDCLine::DCLineInfo>(m, "DCLineInfo", DocIterator::DCLineInfo.c_str())
         .def_readonly("id", &DataDCLine::DCLineInfo::id, DocIterator::id.c_str())
+        .def_readonly("name", &DataDCLine::DCLineInfo::name, DocIterator::name.c_str())
         .def_readonly("connected", &DataDCLine::DCLineInfo::connected, DocIterator::connected.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_or_id", &DataDCLine::DCLineInfo::bus_or_id, DocIterator::bus_or_id.c_str())
         .def_readonly("bus_ex_id", &DataDCLine::DCLineInfo::bus_ex_id, DocIterator::bus_ex_id.c_str())
@@ -662,6 +669,16 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(lightsim2grid_cpp, m)
         .def("assign_slack_to_most_connected", &GridModel::assign_slack_to_most_connected, "TODO")
         .def("consider_only_main_component", &GridModel::consider_only_main_component, "TODO and TODO DC LINE: one side might be in the connected comp and not the other !")
         
+        // names
+        .def("set_line_names", &GridModel::set_line_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_dcline_names", &GridModel::set_dcline_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_trafo_names", &GridModel::set_trafo_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_gen_names", &GridModel::set_gen_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_load_names", &GridModel::set_load_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_storage_names", &GridModel::set_storage_names,  "TODO")
+        .def("set_sgen_names", &GridModel::set_sgen_names, "TODO")
+        .def("set_shunt_names", &GridModel::set_shunt_names, "TODO")
+
         .def("deactivate_bus", &GridModel::deactivate_bus, DocGridModel::_internal_do_not_use.c_str())
         .def("reactivate_bus", &GridModel::reactivate_bus, DocGridModel::_internal_do_not_use.c_str())