eSmart Systems is one of 60 Microsoft customers and partners to be chosen to showcase a permanent exhibit at Microsoft’s new Industry Experience Center (IEC), which opened last month in Redmond, Washington.
The 23,000-square-foot center showcases 60 fascinating, real-world examples of customers and partners that are innovating their businesses and disrupting markets with Microsoft technologies. Each interactive exhibit allows visitors to get a firsthand encounter with the technologies and explore how they are being used across industries to drive innovation. Deb Cupp, CVP of Worldwide Enterprise and Commercial Industries at Microsoft has stated the following about the exhibits at IEC.
These are immersive experiences that demonstrate how companies are digitally transforming, and how our customers and partners are using these solutions to drive disruption in their industries.
Read also: Microsoft’s new Industry Experience Center brings digital transformation to life
The Connected Drone experience
eSmart´s CVP International Markets, Knut Gustavsen, and Product Manager, Thomas Nergaard, were instrumental in securing and setting up the demo exhibition at IEC in Redmond. The Connected Drone exhibit is finally up and running after weeks of preparation. At this moment a drone can be found buzzing above in the center, illustrating how Machine Learning is allowing public utilities to detect problems with power poles without sending a technician out. Thus, helping them reduce maintenance costs and failure rates, in addition to ensuring the safety of their workers.
We have installed a utility pole and mounted a drone inside the building so that we can show visitors at the IEC how our Connected Drone software can analyze and present images in real-time. As the only Power & Utility vendor to be invited to have a demo, we are honored and thankful for this opportunity
A similar exhibit of Connected Drone is also included at the Microsoft Technology Center in Bjørvika, Oslo.
Steve Hambric assumes the position as President of North America operations for eSmart Systems US, Inc., effective October 28. Mr. Hambric will lead eSmart’s ambitious strategy and commitment for growth in North America. This strategy was launched after a June Investment of $34.4M by Innogy and Energy Impact Partners.
This is an exciting step in eSmart’s North America expansion. We believe that Steve has the right qualifications and experience to scale our U.S. organization and shape our solution strategy to create even more value for North American electric utilities and other energy delivery opportunities
Steve Hambric succeeds Knut Gustavsen, who will be taking on a new role within the company.
Steve Hambric has more than 20 years of professional experience in various leadership functions within the energy and utility industry. Most recently as a VP responsible for Itron’s portfolio of Consumer Energy Management solutions, owning their strategy, growth and P&L. Prior to Itron’s acquisition of Comverge, he was on the leadership team of Comverge and Instrumental in transforming their business. Prior to this, he was at Opower leading up to their IPO and sale to Oracle. Mr. Hambric has also consulted to energy and utility companies at Sapient and McKinsey & Company. See full bio.
He is a proven leader in the energy and utility space and is known for building strong teams and optimizing how solutions are developed, sold and delivered. He is eager to take on his new role at eSmart.
I am passionate about sustainability and have focused my career on helping utilities deliver energy that is more reliable, clean, affordable and safe. eSmart Systems leverages proven cutting-edge software to create value across all these categories. I believe in eSmart’s technology, the team and our ability to create meaningful societal value with electric utilities and other industries
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems AS is a developer of disruptive intelligent analytics targeting utility and energy markets. eSmart, which is headquartered in Halden, Norway, currently consists of almost 80 employees with offices in Norway, Denmark, the UK, and US. The company was founded in 2012 and has commercial revenues from large and established utilities and transmission & distribution grid operators. Key owners of the company are Kongsberg Digital, Energy Impact Partners, Equinor Ventures, Nysnø, innogy Ventures and several Norwegian utilities.
eSmart Systems US, Inc. is a subsidiary of eSmart Systems AS, and has its US headquarters in Bellevue, WA.
Read also: eSmart Systems secures USD 34 million investment for international expansion
DROPS Cycling Team announced this week that the Norwegian duo Emilie Moberg and Elise Marie Olsen will join the team for the 2020 season. eSmart Systems is a proud sponsor of cycling talent, Elise Marie Olsen (18).
Elise recently represented Norway at the World Championships in Yorkshire where she rode well in support of teammate Silje Mathisen. 2020 will be Elise’s first year at senior level and she is the first rider announced who will form part of the team´s new U21 group of high potential riders as the team aims to reaffirm itself as one of the most successful development programmes for young talent in Europe. Earlier this season, Elise finished on the second step of the podium in two of Europe’s most prestigious junior races, the ITT stage in Jeugdtour of Assen and The Arctic Heroes of Tomorrow Race which runs alongside the Arctic Race of Norway men’s race.
As a company, we’re proud to support local talents such as Elise. This is truly a tremendous accomplishment. She is a great example of what hard work and dedication can achieve
The support I receive from eSmart Systems means a lot to me. Cycling is a quite expensive sport at this level, and I am really proud and grateful of your contribution. It gives me an even better opportunity to focus more on what makes me a better cyclist
DROPS
DROPS is a UCI Women’s Cycling Team based in the United Kingdom, founded in 2016. DROPS founding ethos remains to create a happy and supportive environment where riders can develop and reach their true potential, irrespective of age, experience or status. DROPS is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most successful development programmes of the past three years.
I am really proud and delighted to get the opportunity to join DROPS, the team appears solid and serious. There aren´t many who get to sign with a pro cycling team this early, so this means a lot to me. It will hopefully allow me to participate in larger cycling races and gain valuable experience. I can’t imagine a better way for me moving from women junior to my first year in women elite. I must say it is almost a bit surreal that my first year as a senior will be together with my old neighbor and idol Emilie
The next chapter
Elise is possibly one of the first Norwegians who has signed with a foreign professional team as a first-year senior. She is ready and eager to start the next chapter of her cycling career with her new teammates
I am convinced that I will learn a lot this upcoming year, and I will do my very best to contribute to the team on and off the bike. I’m super motivated to train hard with high quality this winter, so that I can be best prepared when the 2020 season kicks off!
Assessing and mitigating risk from aging infrastructure, wildfire, and storm events are among the top objectives of T&D asset managers. Aging of the workforce and increased commitment to worker safety bring additional challenges and emphasis on how inspection data is collected, stored, and processed. With utilities looking for ways to inspect their infrastructure more efficiently, safely, and comprehensively, some have already adopted and others are considering aerial-based virtual inspections. Join our panel discussion and live Q&A with industry experts from EDM to hear how virtual inspections fit within existing maintenance and inspection processes.
Watch this webinar to:
- Learn what virtual inspections are.
- Discover how they fit into utilities’ current processes and how they can be scaled.
- Uncover virtual inspection pitfalls and benefits that can be achieved.
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Watch our very engaging on-demand webinar with Xcel Energy on how AI plays a key role in the next generation of electrical infrastructure inspections.October 27th 2022 -
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Watch this webinar to learn how to improve poor quality and incomplete data for your substations and how you can achieve lower costs and a much faster response to faulty assets by relying on accurate, up-to-date data.May 09th 2023 -
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Inspecting transmission and distribution assets is tremendously time- and labor-intensive for utilities. Watch this webinar to learn the benefits and requirements of using a virtual inspection program and what AI is and isn’t capable of doing.May 12th 2023
Together with Smart Innovation Norway and IFE – Institute of Energy Technology, we are the initiators of a brand-new business cluster within applied AI to lift Norwegian companies into the future.
The environment in Halden has evolved to become a strong center of excellence in applied AI. To further strengthen it with an initiative with a national perspective, each member company will benefit, and help to develop the competitiveness of Norwegian business. We look forward to contributing actively
Much AI is currently being researched, and large nations such as the United States are far ahead. Smart Innovation Norway has always acted as a bridge between research and business and our mantra is “no impact, no research
It is therefore natural for us to aim for a business cluster for those who want to use artificial intelligence in practice
AI has come to stay
Mosaker explains that the new cluster will not only focus on artificial intelligence
in isolation, but will also include cyber security, business development, ethics and framework conditions, people and organization.
We want to have a cluster that looks at AI as practically as possible, where members can help each other get ready for the new era we’re entering – where AI is going to be an important part of our lives
he points out.
In order to achieve the cluster’s goal of making Norwegian companies sustainable and ready for a new world, which will largely be guided by artificial intelligence, the Halden-based research and innovation company Smart Innovation Norway has brought together key organizations from both private business and the public sector. and academia. Already, more than 40 different players have agreed to join the industry cluster.
All those who are in the cluster are companies that work with AI or have decided to work with AI
Mosaker says.
1 + 1 = 3
Among the initiators are Smart Innovation Norway, the software comet eSmart Systems and the research organization IFE (Institute of Energy Technology).
We have a strong competence environment within AI in Halden from before, with IFE, which has been providing AI solutions internationally since the 1980s, and Østfold University College, which has maintained its offer of pure machine learning studies while other colleges and universities may have skipped on other things
Mosaker points out.
The cluster has also been joined by heavy players such as Østfold Energi, Zacco and Statsbygg, as well as several start-up companies.
The global technology provider, Cyviz, supported the early cluster initiative, and has in turn contributed to the digitization and efficiency of Norwegian and foreign organizations for over 20 years with their innovative solutions in visualization, collaboration and simulation.
So we have a strong expertise at the bottom and when all these companies that want to work with applied AI come together, you get the opportunity to learn from the best. The idea with this cluster, as with other business clusters, is that when people come together, 1 plus 1 can quickly become 3
says Mosaker.
AI in both research and commercialized products
Mosaker highlights the unique AI environment that already exists in Halden as a key and important factor in the development of the new cluster. In addition to the aforementioned IFE and HiØ, which on a Norwegian scale have a very special history and tradition when it comes to AI, the technology company eSmart Systems in many ways represents the latest screams in the same field:
eSmart Systems has probably landed Norway’s largest AI investment from German and US investors of nearly half a billion. Thus, in Halden, we have both the expertise of heavy manufacturing in terms of production and we have a company that offers industrialized AI integrated into its software products through eSmart Systems. That combination makes the Halden environment in a very special position to further develop and share this knowledge nationally
Mosaker states
He believes the new business cluster will be important for Norwegian companies’ competence building and innovation in applied AI in the future.
Norway is far behind when it comes to investing in AI and we note on the positive reception that cooperation is needed in this area. We believe that we can get Norway to recover some of the neglected by good forces gathering and learning from each other, concludes Thor Mosaker (photo).
From then on, Smart Innovation Norway leads the industry cluster NCE Smart Energy Markets, with over 70 partners. Both clusters will live side by side in Smart Innovation Norway.
The R&D project Connected Drone 2 aims to increase asset insight and reduce the number of power outages. In June, the project completed the first out of a three-year project period.
eSmart Systems’ Project Manager, Kathrin Sunde, is pleased with the progress so far.
Over the past few months we have been working with further development of the Connected Drone software and the two apps; Mobile Ground Station and Field Inspector. Our Analytics team has also been working on algorithms for autonomous navigation of drones along power lines and demonstration of “hardware in the loop” flights in our simulation environment. Now, we look forward to start the next phase.
Innovating power line inspections
Connected Drone 2 is a combined innovation and product development project, and the next phase is focused on automatic UAVs missions in a simulated environment, including development of deep learning algorithms which can recognize assets like power lines and pylons in real time. The project will also focus on further improvement of algorithms for component and defect detection in images as well as significant improvements in the Connected Drone software.
Connected Drone 2 counts 22 participating grid companies, of which Øvre Eiker Nett is the latest addition. Arne Hanto Moen, CEO of Øvre Eiker Nett is looking forward to getting started.
As a small power grid company, we want to use the most modern and best tools available. Connected Drone 2 will enable us to get a better overview and insight into our distribution network. In addition, we hope that involvement in this innovative project will give Øvre Eiker Nett positive ripple effects
eSmart Systems, a Norwegian provider of AI-based analytics for infrastructure inspection and asset health monitoring, has successfully completed a capital raise of USD 34.4 million. Energy Impact Partners (EIP), the US utility-backed investment fund, and innogy Ventures have joined the investment round initially closed by Equinor Energy Ventures, Nysnø Climate Investments, and Kongsberg Digital in December 2018.
Currently, eSmart’s software oversees electricity operations for 48 customers in 7 countries, including Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. The company is also a Microsoft Partner and its CTO, Erik Aasberg, has been appointed as a Microsoft Regional Director.
We are proud to announce EIP and innogy Ventures as eSmart Systems’ new growth partners and shareholders. This partnership has great potential for the energy industry, and we see this as an excellent platform for propelling eSmart Systems into its next phase of international expansion
A solid foundation for further growth
Strong partnerships are essential for eSmart’s further growth. For the last 6 years eSmart Systems has received the support of several global players as partners and shareholders, including Equinor Energy Ventures, Nysnø Climate Investments and Kongsberg Digital. With EIP and innogy Ventures entering as shareholders in a second closing, eSmart Systems has fulfilled its ambition to establish a solid foundation from which to expand in both American and European markets.
EIP is a leading US venture fund focusing on the energy sector backed by some of the world’s largest and most progressive utilities. innogy Ventures is the venture capital investment arm of innogy Innovation Hub, funded by innogy SE which is one of Europe’s leading energy companies.
eSmart Systems can help utilities ensure and maintain the reliability, safety, and resiliency of the electric grid,” said Energy Impact Partners’ Michael Donnelly. “EIP is thrilled to have eSmart as a portfolio company and co-invest alongside such strong partners. eSmart’s intelligent analytics solution for energy and utility companies has immediate use cases for our investor base. It helps utilities efficiently and effectively analyze existing and expanding data sources (including images and sensors), providing actionable insights for transmission and distribution systems.
We are proud to support this terrific team with deep energy industry experience. Based on exceptional AI capabilities, eSmart is providing the next level software needed for a digital, decarbonized and decentralised future energy world. Its Connected Drone product, for example, supports grid operators to maintain their assets with unparalleled efficiency via automated fault detection. With its leading technology, an impressive customer base and powerful investor consortium, eSmart is perfectly placed for rapid international scaling
About
ESMART SYSTEMS. eSmart Systems builds and delivers the next generation software solutions for inspections of powerlines, grid maintenance planning and energy flexibility optimization. We target utilities worldwide and offer reduced costs and prolonged asset life with the use of our AI-powered solutions. The company is based on more than 20 years of international experience in establishing and operating knowledge based, leading IT and energy related companies targeting global markets.
ENERGY IMPACT PARTNERS. Energy Impact Partners (EIP) is an investment firm focused on the conversion of the energy industry towards a decarbonized, decentralized, digitized and electrified future. EIP brings together leading innovators with some of the world’s most valuable, forward-looking energy and operating companies to create a cleaner, more secure and resilient future. Through close collaboration with its investor base, EIP connects the best companies, buying power and vision in the industry to bear on the emerging energy landscape. EIP’s utility partners include Southern Company, National Grid, Xcel Energy, Ameren, Evergy, Fortis Inc., AGL, Avista, MGE Energy Inc., TEPCO, PTT Public Company Limited, OGE Energy Corp., TransCanada, and Alliant Energy.
INNOGY VENTURES. innogy Ventures GmbH is the €130m venture capital investment arm of the innogy Innovation Hub, participating or leading series A and beyond venture capital deals focused on innovative and digital business models in North America, Europe and Israel. Portfolio companies are supported with comprehensive market knowledge, assistance in business development and links to the wider innogy SE’s network in order to support their competitiveness and accelerate their growth.
innogy Ventures and the innogy Innovation Hub are funded by innogy SE, a leading German energy company, with revenues of around 37 billion euros (2018), around 43,000 employees as well as activities in 16 European countries and in new markets such as Australia, Canada and the USA.
EQUINOR ENERGY VENTURES. Equinor’s 200 MUSD venture capital fund was launched in February 2016. With a team in both Europe and North America and a long term approach, the fund is dedicated to investing up to 20 MUSD in attractive and ambitious growth companies in renewable and low carbon energy technologies, supporting Equinor’s strategy of growth in new energy solutions.
NYSNØ CLIMATE INVESTMENTS. The Norwegian sovereign climate investment fund makes commercial investments in companies and funds that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Nysnø invests alongside private investors looking for profitable, climate friendly investments. Nysnø is based in Stavanger, Norway and has been operational since mid-2018.
KONGSBERG DIGITAL. Kongsberg Digital is a provider of next-generation software and digital solutions to customers within maritime, oil and gas, and renewables and utilities. The company consists of more than 500 software experts with leading competence within the internet of things, smart data, artificial intelligence, maritime simulation, automation and autonomous operations. Kongsberg Digital is subsidiary of KONGSBERG (OSE-ticker: KOG), an international, knowledge-based group delivering high-technology systems and solutions to clients within the oil and gas industry, subsea, merchant marine, defence and aerospace. KONGSBERG has 11 000 employees worldwide, creating a total revenue of NOK 14.4 billion in 2018.
ADVISORS
To eSmart Systems:
• Financial Advisor: DNB Markets
• Legal: Advokatfirmaet CLP DA
eSmart Systems’ CTO, Erik Åsberg, has been appointed the reputable title as Microsoft Regional Director for a second consecutive two-year period.
Regional Directors are hand-picked by Microsoft based on a rigorous set of evaluations designed to help select the best representatives of developer, IT Pro, and strategic technology needs of the world’s most impactful businesses. In 2017, Erik was chosen as Microsoft Reginal Director – Norway for the first time.
It is an honor and a great privilege to again be acknowledged by Microsoft and appointed Regional Director for a second consecutive period. Microsoft is a key partner for us at eSmart Systems, and I am looking forward to continuing taking part in this prominent worldwide community of technology
Microsoft Regional Director Program
Established in 1993, the program consists of 175 of the world’s top technology visionaries chosen specifically for their proven cross-platform expertise, community leadership, and commitment to business results. Regional Directors are typically keynoting at top industry events, leading community groups and local initiatives, running technology-focused companies, or consulting on and implementing the latest breakthrough within a multinational corporation.
Read more about the program on Microsoft Regional Directors.
About Erik Åsberg
Erik Åsberg serves as Chief Technology Officer of eSmart Systems AS. With over 20 years of experience from the energy & IT field, he is an expert in leveraging the use of new technology to strengthen businesses through complete eco-systems on Microsoft Azure platform.
For the second consecutive year, eSmart Systems was recognized as finalist in the category of AI and Machine Learning in the annual Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards.
To be again confirmed finalist in the coveted category of AI and Machine Learning is a particularly great honor and yet a new milestone for us. Microsoft’s commitment and partnership with us has been a great enabler for both our technological leadership and outreach to our customers worldwide
Excellence in innovation based on Microsoft technology
The annual awards recognize Microsoft partners demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. Award winners and finalists from around the world will be recognized at Microsoft Inspire, July 14–18, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We’re thrilled to celebrate the finalists and winners of the Microsoft 2019 Partner of the Year Awards,” said Gavriella Schuster, corporate vice president, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft. “These companies are industry leaders helping businesses around the world connect and achieve more. I’m truly amazed by each winner and finalist, and I am honored to highlight the incredible work they are doing.
Read more and see winners and finalists on Microsoft News Center.
eSmart Systems announced a partnership with Juniper Unmanned, Inc., a Colorado-based remote sensing and analytics integrator for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
The partnership aims to capitalize on the combination of Juniper Unmanned’s expertise for producing high-quality data combined with eSmart Systems’ AI platform Connected Drone®, powered by Microsoft® Azure to improve utility companies’ detailed inspections by providing actionable intelligence downstream. Juniper Unmanned provides enhanced LiDAR and photogrammetric services to a number of markets, including utilities, transportation, oil & gas, and AEC.
Successful analysis must begin with high quality, interpretable images. We have found that Juniper Unmanned consistently delivers high quality imagery and LiDAR data
Also, Juniper has been providing UAS enablement services to customers. eSmart specializes in AI for utilities, including image recognition to catalog and review infrastructure components to make more informed decisions for transmission and distribution (T&D) assets and their related environments. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with eSmart before and we felt it was a great strategic fit,” said Brian Soliday, Chief Revenue Officer of Juniper Unmanned.
We’ve found that even the most advanced AI routines require high quality data for detecting anomalies, like missing or damaged equipment, and to support critical observations needed for NESC (National Electric Safety Code) violations, which can be detected via the eSmart applications.
Our software helps utilities reduce line inspections times, decrease power outages, and improve line worker safety. We use AI coupled with Internet of Things (IoT) to automatically detect and analyze defects on a utility power line, analyzing 200K images per hour vs 50K images per year with traditional manual processes
Juniper Unmanned has really been there when we’ve needed them to be and stepped up and far exceeded our expectations. They understand the customer requirements in the utility segment and are the UAS data expertsJuniper has a continuous commitment to adding to their acquisition, sensor fleet, and data processing capabilities.