Powered Demo Day: Startups collaborations to accelerate the energy transition

Alliander’s Business Challenges

Ten startups have been selected to work on Alliander’s business challenges within the strategic pillar Better Use Grid to help us maximise the use of the existing capacity of our networks. These include challenges in forecasting grid usage, enabling Energy Hubs and determining the condition of our critical components in the chain. After an intensive 10-week collaboration process, the startups presented their innovative solutions for the energy system in transition.  Meet the startups:  

• Civitas: An innovative all-in-one platform that manages all stages of energy communities and local energy systems based on blockchain technology. 

• Advanced Infrastructure: AI’s solution is an Enterprise SaaS platform for spatial analysis that lowers the cost of installing and operating low-carbon infrastructure. 

• Energiot: Offers an end-to-end IoT solution with self-powered sensors and an AI platform for 24/7 intelligent monitoring of the power grid. 

• Zaphiro Technologies: Fault detection and location, initial fault detection enabling preventive maintenance, as well as condition estimation enabling load forecasting and asset investment planning. 

• Tilt Energy: Tilt is building a demand management platform that includes demand and flexibility forecasting, VPP installation and operation, as well as participation in demand response.   

• Skoon: Supports the power grid with mobile batteries and generators, enabling businesses to switch to clean energy even in congested areas. Their online marketplace for clean mobile energy and intelligent analytics tools optimise energy settings for cost efficiency and sustainability. 

• PhotonPath: Offers a fully programmable integrated photonics chipset that enables all-optical data collection, transmission and processing at the speed of light. 

• Ogre AI: Specialises in forecasting for utilities. With their proprietary AI and ML algorithms developed by leading mathematicians and forecasters, they provide professional services through a fully automated platform that solves key forecasting challenges. 

• Gridhound GmbH: Solves grid observability by providing an AI-based approach to state estimation for medium- and low-voltage power grids that require only minimal electrical measurements.   

• Nectaware: The mission of Nectaware is to develop ad-hoc artificial intelligence solutions for electricity demand forecasting and PV generation that are easily accessible with other platforms.     

Inspiring and Educational Demo Day   

During Demo Day, Proof of Concepts were presented by the startups. The event was opened by Daan Schut, Alliander’s Chief Transition Officer. Afterwards, the 10 selected startups pitched and presented their results and solutions. Visitors had the opportunity to view all the demos, engage in conversation and ask questions to the startups. They could also attend a panel discussion on the impact and potential of collaboration between companies and startups.  There was a good mix of different visitors such as Alliander colleagues, other grid operations, players in the industry and investors.  

In the coming period, follow-up steps will be designed and developed for a number of Proof of Concepts. Wondering what Demo Day was like? Then check out the aftermovie below.    

Zaphiro: Innovation in Grid Monitoring   

We need better insight into the condition of our grids, partly to combat grid congestion. To make this possible, we are working very hard in the coming years to install all kinds of sensors to give us that insight. This takes a lot of time, so we are also always looking for solutions that can simplify this, speed it up or get more value out of what we do.   

One of the program’s participating startups is Zaphiro. Zaphiro has come up with a solution to better monitor our electricity grid. Zaphiro has made a measurement system previously used only for high-voltage (a so-called PMU) suitable for use in the medium-voltage grid.   

The measurement system measures very precisely and uses very accurate time synchronisation. With a clever piece of software, they can get a good insight into the entire medium-voltage grid with a limited number of measuring points and determine the location of faults. During Demo Day, Zaphiro showed in a simulated environment how their solution performs under different conditions. As a result, we now know better how to use their technology to gain faster insight into the state of our medium-voltage grid.   

Curious about Zaphiro’s story? Watch the video below.