BKW Energie AG, the operator of Switzerland’s largest distribution system, has partnered with eSmart Systems to transition their current visual inspections to a complete Artificial Intelligence (AI) image-based virtual inspection. The 5-year program will focus on distribution grid with a focus on wood, steel and concrete structures, and aims to improve the speed and quality of the virtual inspection process.
eSmart Systems Grid Vision® solution, powered by AI, will be delivered as a Software as Service solution for BKW Energie. The solution will deliver automation through its 40+ AI models that are already trained on over 15 million global images, and will allow BKW to automate their virtual inspections to improve the quality and speed of the inspections.
Henrik Bache, CEO at eSmart Systems, expressed his delight in partnering with BKW Energie, “We are delighted to partner with BKW Energie and our technology will support their vision of a running a more sustainable and resilient power grid.”
Martin Rieder, Head of Asset Information Management at BKW Energie, commented on the partnership, “Our ambition is to become a distribution system operator managing a highly efficient power grid, transforming our inspection process is getting us one step closer to our digitalization journey and enabling us to obtain accurate and reliable asset data that can be utilized for key decision making. Grid Vision® stood out as an industry leading solution and is an operational ready AI solution we expect to bring value from day 1.”
The partnership between BKW Energie and eSmart Systems will reduce carbon emissions through fewer field visits and focus on condition-based asset maintenance and rebuilds. This will enable BKW Energie to build towards a more sustainable future while integrating low carbon technologies onto the grid.
BKW Energie AG is the operator of Switzerland’s largest distribution system, providing electricity to one million people in their supply area via 22,000 km of lines and 188,000 grid connections. eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure with their software solution, Grid Vision®.
BKW Energie AG have partnered with eSmart Systems to transition their current visual inspections into a complete Artificial Intelligence (AI) image-based virtual inspection. The 5-year program will focus on distribution grid with a focus on wood, steel and concrete structures, and will utilize AI to improve the speed and quality of the virtual inspection process.
Henrik Bache, CEO at eSmart Systems, said of the partnership, “We are delighted to partner with BKW Energie and our technology will support their vision of a running a more sustainable and resilient power grid.”
Martin Rieder, Head of Asset Information Management at BKW Energie, commented, “Our ambition is to become a distribution system operator managing a highly efficient power grid, transforming our inspection process is getting us one step closer to our digitalization journey and enabling us to obtain accurate and reliable asset data that can be utilized for key decision making. Grid Vision® stood out as an industry leading solution and is an operational ready AI solution we expect to bring value from day 1.”
The partnership between BKW Energie and eSmart systems will reduce carbon emissions through fewer field visits and focus on condition-based asset maintenance and rebuilds. This will enable BKW Energie to build towards a more sustainable future while integrating low carbon technologies onto the grid.
BKW Energie AG has announced a partnership with eSmart Systems to transition their current visual inspections into a complete Artificial Intelligence (AI) image-based virtual inspection process. The 5-year program will utilize eSmart Systems’ Grid Vision® solution, powered by AI, and will focus on distribution grid with a focus on wood, steel and concrete structures. The partnership will provide safer, more accurate and efficient virtual inspections, as well as optimize the inspection costs.
By lowering their carbon footprint through reduced field visits and focusing on assets based on condition for maintenance and rebuilds, BKW Energie is building for a sustainable future and the partnership with eSmart Systems will support these initiatives with integrating more low carbon technologies onto the grid.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.