Schedule a demo at Enlit Europe 2024 and witness the power of Grid Vision®
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Our Grid Vision solution provides a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and asset management.
Discover how Grid Vision is revolutionizing infrastructure inspections for top energy providers at our stand 5.L12.
If you do not already have a ticket to Enlit Europe 2024, we are pleased to offer you a free Expo Pass or discounted Summit Pass through the link below.
Repower which produces and distributes power to more than 48,000 customers in Switzerland, has partnered with eSmart Systems to digitalize and automate their grid inspection process. The program will utilize eSmart Systems’ Grid Vision® solution, which supports the full inspection and maintenance workflow with AI.
- Transitioning Repower’s grid inspections from manual to automated powered by AI.
- Grid Vision AI-supported software will be used to inspect their HV and MV grid.
- eSmart Systems will deliver inspection services for Repower AG’s overhead lines over the course of the partnership.
This partnership will enable Repower to provide safer, more accurate and efficient inspections that will provide greater visibility into their grid assets to support their asset management strategies for grid resiliency and reliability to support growing demand and transition to low carbon generation.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems will deliver the program as an inspection as a service and will utilize drones for the image capture with automated flight patterns to ensure the data is captured consistently and accurately with improved safety. For this program the actual grid inspection will be conducted within Grid Vision powered by AI and eSmart Systems will be working with regional drone operators for the image capture.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. With our software solution Grid Vision® we revolutionize how utility companies operate and maintain transmission and distribution networks. eSmart Systems offers a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections that can be managed from a single platform. We support companies worldwide by ensuring reduced costs, safer inspections, and prolonged asset life.
About Repower
Repower is an international energy utility with its operational headquarters in Poschiavo. (Graubünden, Switzerland). Repower has been operating as an electricity producer, distribution grid operator and energy trader for more than 100 years. Its key markets are Switzerland and Italy.
Repower builds, operates and maintains distribution grids, substations, transformer stations, kiosks and supply lines right up to the house connection in Prättigau/Rhine Valley, Engadine/Valposchiavo and Surselva. The total length of the grid managed by Repower is around 3,000 kilometres.
eSmart Systems, a leading provider of AI-powered services and solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure, has signed a partnership with Naya, a Norway-based company with an all-female organization in Dehradun, India, created to ensure the ethical labelling of AI.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
For AI to work successfully for infrastructure inspections it needs a lot of training and annotations. With the rapid growth in the AI market, organizations are using a lot of services that are unethical where employees are underpaid with extremely low wages and inadequate working conditions. Naya looks to address this by providing services conducted by women in India in a safe environment, giving them opportunities for growth, educational development and to foster brighter futures for young women.
At eSmart Systems as part of our commitment to sustainability and our core values, we are not only measured by what value we create, but by how we create it. Ensuring we deliver solutions in the most ethical and sustainable way is of upmost importance. We are delighted to be partnering with Naya and look forward to seeing the positive impact of our partnership. This initiative also supports our ambition to contribute to the goals of UN Global Compact, and aligns with the values of our owners for contributing to diversity and opportunity for everybody.
The partnership will see eSmart Systems and Naya working together on eSmart Systems’ Grid Vision® solution and will accelerate the growth of AI models and performance of those models, which will deliver value to their customers by reducing inspection costs, improving inspection safety, improving accuracy of asset data and prolonging asset life. The work will be performed in accordance with the high information security standard set up by the eSmart Systems Management System (Certified according to ISO 27001:2022).
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. With our software solution, Grid Vision® we revolutionize how utility companies operate and maintain their transmission and distribution grids. We support utilities globally to reduce inspection costs, make inspections safer, improve the quality of asset data and prolong asset life by providing an image-based digital inventory representing all physical grid assets. eSmart Systems has more than 20 years of international experience in establishing and operating knowledge-based, leading IT and energy-related companies targeting global markets.
About the Naya
Naya is a social impact startup that combines social sustainability and AI development by employing women from Indian slum areas. We offer high-quality annotation services to customers developing machine-learning models and NAYA employs impoverished women from slum areas (currently in Northern India) to complete the annotation tasks.
Our Indian colleagues are given dignified work, proper pay, and an opportunity to break out of generational poverty. Naya operates from its main office in Dehradun, India, comprising a team of 10 skilled professionals, with our headquarters situated in Trondheim, Norway. We specialize in serving the European and Norwegian markets. Recognized for our expertise, we were awarded 1 million NOK by Innovation Norway in April 2023. For more information visit: https://www.naya.no/
Repower produziert und verteilt Strom an mehr als 48’000 Kundinnen und Kunden in der Schweiz und hat sich mit eSmart Systems zusammengetan, um ihren Netzinspektionsprozess zu digitalisieren und zu automatisieren. Das Programm wird die Softwarelösung Grid Vision® von eSmart Systems nutzen, die den gesamten Inspektionsworkflow mit KI unterstützt und gleichzeitig digitalisiert.
- Umstellung der Netzinspektionen von Repower von manuell auf automatisiert mit KI.
- Die KI-gestützte Software von Grid Vision wird verwendet, um ihr Hoch- und Mittelspannungsnetz zu inspizieren.
- eSmart Systems wird im Rahmen der Partnerschaft Inspektionsdienstleistungen für die Freileitungen der Repower AG erbringen.
Diese Partnerschaft wird es Repower ermöglichen, sicherere, genauere und effizientere Inspektionen durchzuführen, die einen besseren Einblick in ihr Hoch- und Mittelspannungsnetz bieten, um ihre Asset-Management-Strategien für Netzstabilität und -zuverlässigkeit zu unterstützen. Damit wird Repower gewappnet sein, den wachsenden Ansprüchen an das Netz zu genügen und den Übergang zu einer kohlenstoffarmen Erzeugung zu unterstützen.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems wird das Programm als Inspektionsdienstleistung anbieten. Hierbei werden Drohnen für die Bilderfassung mit automatisierten Flugmustern eingesetzt, um sicherzustellen, dass die Datenpräzision und -Konsistenz, sowie die Arbeitssicherheit gewährleistet und optimiert wird.
Die Inspektion der Repower Freileitung wird mittels der KI gestützten Software Grid Vision, durchgeführt. Die Inspektionsergebnisse werden innerhalb der Grid Vision aufbereitet und digitalisiert. eSmart Systems wird zusätzlich einen regionalen Drohnenbetreiber für die Bildaufnahme mittels automatisierter Flugmuster schulen.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
Über eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems ist ein führender Anbieter von KI-gestützten Lösungen für die Inspektion und Wartung kritischer Infrastrukturen. Mit unserer Softwarelösung Grid Vision revolutionieren wir die Art und Weise, wie Versorgungsunternehmen Übertragungs- und Verteilungsnetze betreiben und warten. eSmart Systems bietet einen datengesteuerten und zustandsbasierten Ansatz für Infrastrukturinspektionen, der von einer einzigen Plattform aus verwaltet werden kann. Wir unterstützen Unternehmen weltweit, indem wir für reduzierte Kosten, sicherere Inspektionen und eine längere Lebensdauer der Anlagen sorgen.
Über Repower
Repower ist ein international tätiges Energieversorgungsunternehmen mit operativem Hauptsitz in Poschiavo. (Graubünden, Schweiz). Repower ist seit mehr als 100 Jahren als Stromerzeugerin, Verteilnetzbetreiberin und Energiehändlerin tätig. Die wichtigsten Märkte sind die Schweiz und Italien.
Repower baut, betreibt und unterhält Verteilnetze, Unterwerke, Trafostationen, Verteilkabinen und Versorgungsleitungen bis zum Hausanschluss im Prättigau/Rheintal, im Engadin und in der Surselva. Die Gesamtlänge des von Repower verwalteten Netzes beträgt rund 3’000 Kilometer.
eSmart Systems, a global leader in AI-based solutions for inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure, signs a contract with Alliander, to increase safety and optimize asset utilization within their existing energy network.
The contract, with a minimum value of 10 million euro, covers an Inspection as a Service (IaaS) solution for Alliander, one of the largest energy network distributors in The Netherlands.
The AI-supported service includes a full image-based digital inventory of all Alliander’s ~60.000 substations and cable cabinets, used to secure full regulatory compliance and safety to the public for all of their assets.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems’ AI-supported software will enable Alliander to analyse technical conditions, predict and improve their asset management processes, including maintenance of its infrastructure assets over time. The solution provides Alliander with improved quality of their asset data of their distribution network, which will further unlock value in terms of capital spending, lowering carbon footprint, improving risk management including compliance with safe-to touch regulation.
eSmart Systems’ customer portfolio includes several of the world’s largest energy companies, such as Statnett, Naturgy, Xcel Energy and E.ON. With this new contract the company expects to both double its annual revenue and ramp up its global recruitment initiatives.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. We are headquartered in Halden, Norway and serve around 50+ utilities globally.
With our Grid Vision® portfolio, we provide Inspection Management and Asset Information Management solutions and services to utilities globally. Grid Vision provides a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and support utilities to reduce inspection costs, improve inspection safety, improve the quality of asset data and prolong asset life.
About the Alliander Group
Alliander group is responsible for distributing gas and electricity to 3.2 million homes and businesses in the Netherlands. We operate 90.000km electricity grid and a 40.000km gas network across six regions including Amsterdam, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, North Holland and South Holland.
We are committed to running a reliable energy supply to ensure that living, working and travelling remain viable in the future by developing sustainable grid technologies, innovative metering solutions and intelligent energy infrastructures. We take great pride in our networks being among the world’s most reliable. Our 7.000 colleagues make sure the lights are on, homes are heated, and businesses can keep operating.
- This program aims to digitalize the inspection process and improve grid resiliency.
- 5-year framework agreement with eSmart Systems, Fugro and GeoAerospace.
- Grid Vision® software will support ESB’s digitalization journey through delivering a digital representation of their physical grid through image-based digital asset.
Through a UAV Inspection Services Framework Contract, ESB will be inspecting up to 10.000 structures over 5 years ranging between 38kV to 400kV, through a virtual inspection program partnering with Fugro, GeoAerospace and eSmart Systems. This program will automate and digitalize their current inspections and will provide ESB with a conditional assessment of their towers as well as general condition analysis of their grid.
We are excited to accelerate our digitalization journey and were impressed with eSmart Systems virtual inspection software. With Fugro, GeoAerospace and eSmartSystems, we will gain efficiency through an end-to-end virtual inspection program, saving us time and costs associated with field visits, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting our goal to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The framework managed by ESB Engineering and Major Projects will include Fugro as service provider and partners GeoAerospace will be flying drones to capture images of the infrastructure. eSmart Systems will conduct the virtual inspection supported by AI within their Grid Vision software. The program will create an image-based digital asset within the Grid Vision software that will represent ESB’s physical grid. This will support ESB to gain value beyond the inspection by providing their teams with a digital representation of their physical infrastructure at their desk unlocking new efficiency gains and in turn reducing reactive maintenance.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
About ESB
At ESB, we are licensed to build, operate, maintain and develop the electricity network in the Republic of Ireland. We are driven to make a difference by achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to leading the transition to a reliable, affordable, net zero energy future. A future that protects our customers and the economy by maintaining the security and affordability of energy.
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it.
Through mapping, modelling and monitoring the built and natural environments we create a safe, liveable world.
About GeoAerospace
Founded in 2016, GeoAerospace is a university spin-out geospatial technology company comprising commercial pilots, drone operators, surveyors, geospatial scientists, platform developers and software engineers. With many of our staff originating from the National Centre for Geocomputation & Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University, we strive to be at the cutting edge of geospatial and remote sensing technologies.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered services and solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure.
With our Grid Vision solutions we revolutionize how power utilities operate and maintain their generation plants, transmission and distribution networks.
Our solutions provide a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and asset management decisions. We support utilities globally to reduce inspection costs, improve inspection safety, improve asset data and prolonged asset life. eSmart Systems has more than 20 years of international experience in establishing and operating knowledge-based, leading IT and energy-related companies targeting global markets.
Norske eSmart Systems, en global leder innen AI-baserte løsninger for inspeksjon og vedlikehold av samfunnskritisk infrastruktur, har signert en kontrakt med Alliander. Oppdraget har som formål å øke sikkerheten og optimalisere utnyttelsen av Allianders eksisterende strømnett i Nederland.
Kontrakten, som har en minimumsverdi på 120 millioner kroner, omfatter tjenester med tilhørende programvare for inspeksjon av distribusjonsnettet til Alliander, en av de største energileverandørene i Nederland.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems skal levere en fullstendig, bildebasert, digital anleggsoversikt over Allianders nærmere 60.000 nettstasjoner og kabelskap. Det vil gjøre det mulig for selskapet å analysere tekniske forhold, forutsi og forbedre prosesser for forvaltning av strømnettet, inkludert vedlikehold, samtidig som det kan bidra til lavere kapitalutgifter og en reduksjon av karbonavtrykket.
– Vi er utrolig stolte av å få arbeide med et teknologidrevet foregangsselskap som Alliander. Gjennom dette samarbeidet får vi vist frem hvordan våre konkurransefortrinn innen AI-drevet programvare, teknologisk innovasjon og unike tjenestetilbud kan støtte avgjørende nettvekst, samt tilføre bærekraftig verdi til våre kunder, sier Henrik Bache.
eSmart Systems, som blant annet har Nysnø Climate Investments, Equinor Ventures og Kongsberg Gruppen inne på eiersiden, har fra før en kundeportefølje som omfatter flere av verdens største energiselskaper, deriblant Statnett, Naturgy, Xcel Energy og E.ON.
Med denne kontrakten forventer selskapet tilnærmet å doble sin omsetning i 2024, samt styrke organisasjonen på tvers av landegrenser.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
Om eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems er en ledende leverandør av AI-drevne løsninger for inspeksjon og vedlikehold av kritisk infrastruktur. Selskapet har hovedkontor i Halden i Norge og har mer enn 50 kunder globalt.
Med programvareløsningen Grid Vision® revolusjonerer selskapet hvordan strømleverandører driver og vedlikeholder sine nett. Grid Vision®er en digital plattform for virtuell inspeksjon av strømnettet på en langt mer effektiv måte enn historisk metodikk. Plattformen sikrer også datakvalitet og lagring av tilstandsvurderinger. eSmart Systems hjelper bedrifter over hele verden med å forbedre datakvalitet, redusere kostnader, forbedre sikkerhet gjennom sikrere inspeksjoner og bidra til lengre levetid for samfunnskritisk infrastruktur.
Om Alliander Group
Alliander-gruppen er ansvarlig for distribusjon av gass og elektrisitet til 3.2 millioner hjem og bedrifter i Nederland. Vi driver 90.000 km elektrisitetsnett og et 40.000 km gassnettverk i seks regioner, inkludert Amsterdam, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Nord-Holland og Sør-Holland. Vår forpliktelse er pålitelig energiforsyning for å sikre at det å bo, jobbe og reise forblir bærekraftig i fremtiden. Det gjør vi ved å utvikle bærekraftige teknologier, innovative måleløsninger og intelligent energiinfrastruktur. Vi er stolte av at nettverkene våre er blant verdens mest pålitelige. Våre 7.000 kolleger sørger for at lysene er på, hjemmene er oppvarmet, og at bedrifter kan fortsette sin virksomhet.
Schedule a demo at Enlit Europe 2024 and witness the power of Grid Vision®
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Our Grid Vision solution provides a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and asset management.
Discover how Grid Vision is revolutionizing infrastructure inspections for top energy providers at our stand 5.L12.
If you do not already have a ticket to Enlit Europe 2024, we are pleased to offer you a free Expo Pass or discounted Summit Pass through the link below.
At eSmart Systems, AI is in our DNA. We have been working on AI for infrastructure inspections for over 10 years. Drawing from our successful experience working with 50+ utilities globally, here are 6 things you should consider before starting your AI journey for infrastructure inspections.
- AI requires validation. You cannot escape this, when dealing with critical assets. The AI suggestions must be validated and this is how the AI learns.
- Training data is crucial. You need a lot of training data for AI to work successfully. Working with a vendor who has a lot of training data will give you a better starting position on your journey.
- Use a scaled approach. Apply AI to your most commonly occurring defects first.
- Focus on business value. AI can be a powerful tool to achieve a business-driven goal. Don’t get side-tracked by AI – focus on your business goal.
- AI supports Virtual Inspections and should be incorporated into the process and should not be considered in isolation. We have seen innovation projects just focused on measuring AI performance, but this does not tell you the full picture in terms of benefits gained.
- Beware of unrealistic promises. If you are being promised full automation from day 1, alarm bells should be ringing. AI is a journey and must be trained on your infrastructure. The key is working with a provider who is a subject matter expert.
If you would like a discussion with our experts on AI or how it can be applied to your inspections, contact us today!
For more insights, listen to our podcast on AI misconceptions.
We pioneered virtual inspections of energy utility assets over 10 years ago, and in that time, we have been asked a lot of questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions that utilities seek answers to:
- We have high reliability on our grid, so why would I change my inspection method?
- We have been inspecting our assets with a proven method for a long time, why change it?
- I have heard that the AI is not ready yet, so why start implementing it now?
- Why do it now? We tried this a few years ago and it was more expensive than our traditional methods.
All valid questions, therefore we have put together ten reasons why a utility should add virtual inspections to their inspection program.
- Improve the safety of your inspections by having fewer people out in the field conducting inspections through foot patrol, climbing towers or inspecting by helicopter. Our approach is that we are hardware agnostic, so you can capture your assets out in the field via various methods and then conduct the actual inspection from your desk.
- Get a holistic and consistent view of your inspection results and remove subjectivity. One of our customers was outsourcing their asset inspections and getting inaccurate and inconsistent defect results. The customer also climbed towers that did not require climbing resulting in unnecessary costs and safety risks. With our built-in inspection workflow and multiuser experience, they now have a solution that yields results without incurring unnecessary expenses and risks.
- Identify more defects than traditional inspection methods. One of our customers identified 60% more defects with our virtual inspection program than when using foot patrols. Read our whitepaper which compares the effectiveness of foot patrols and virtual inspections here.
- Reduced inspection time. Inspecting the grid at a desk using our solution – Grid Vision®, allows the inspectors to quickly identify and confirm defect suggestions. One of our customers reduced inspection time per pole by 2/3 by deploying our virtual inspection approach and software.
- Reallocation of expensive resources. We all know that there is a skills shortage in the utility industry. With virtual inspections, you do not need to send experienced engineers into the field. You can capture the images and conduct a virtual inspection at your desk. The experienced engineer acting as a subject matter expert only needs to do the quality review using our software. This way your experienced engineers can focus on high-priority and high-value work.
- Improve your capital planning. Base your capital planning on accurate data and appropriate risk tolerances. We have supported two of our customers to move over $10 Million of inspection costs from O&M to capital by creating digital assets of their system.
- Use the data you are collecting. If you are sending out teams for inspections and collecting data let us ensure you only capture what is necessary and then maximize the usage. With over a decade of experience, we have a proven methodology for data collection to ensure that the captured data is not only suitable for a virtual inspection but for broader use beyond the inspection itself. If you are already spending your budget on collecting data then get it right the first time.
- An image tells a 1000 words. With our structured approach, we work with utility customers to collect the right number of images at the correct angle so they can be successfully utilized for a virtual inspection, as well as use cases beyond the inspection. In our approach, we link the images to the right asset, metadata, asset data, inspection data and grid topology and build your image-based digital asset that you can utilize across your organization.
- Reduce your environmental and O&M costs by conducting virtual inspections and eliminate verification visits by providing teams access to the image-based digital asset so they can conduct most of the work from their desk and only go out in the field when necessary. Working with one of our customers we estimated they could potentially save 150.000 tons of CO2 per year by adopting our approach across their grid.
- Reduce costs and drive efficiency across your organization by utilizing your image-based digital asset. Our customers are now using Grid Vision to identify common vulnerabilities, verify site access, optimize workforce management, capital planning and support regulatory reporting.
We have given 10 reasons to add virtual inspections to your asset inspection program and we have not even mentioned the value of AI.
Virtual inspections are another inspection method in your toolbox and complement your existing methods. With our approach you don’t replace your current inspection program but add virtual inspections, as certain inspections still require ground patrols like testing pole foundations and drilling for rot, etc. One of our customers has now incorporated virtual inspections as 50% of their inspection program.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today for a free workshop where we can help you see how virtual inspections can support your operations.