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E.ON

Partner since 2021

Using smart sensor data to drive the transition in the energy sector

E.ON Brightfield – Unlocking the potential of smart power supply

Data & AI solutions

Tech & architecture strategy

Together with E.ON, we leveraged data from Brightfield, a comprehensive IoT application, to enable early detection and resolution of energy distribution challenges. This paved the way for enhanced power supply reliability, increased operational efficiency and optimised energy flow. The smart data collection system boosts grid performance, setting the stage for a more sustainable, greener future.

Need

Enabling real-time monitoring of energy grid performance by digitizing over 4 million transformers – identifying vulnerabilities, enhancing stability, and ensuring a sustainable energy supply.

Result

A groundbreaking system that digitises transformers, enabling predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and optimising renewable energy integration with an estimated 90% accuracy in grid utilisation forecasts.

Impact

Brightfield redefines energy grid management, combining innovative data processing with actionable insights to drive stability, efficiency and cost-effective digitalisation across the energy sector.

Ray Sono’s expertise in digital data processing is essential to the success of Brightfield. Together, we have developed a data collection system for the energy grid that significantly improves the accuracy of forecasts and thus the predictability of energy use.

Laura Faerber

Chief Operating Officer

E.ON/Brightfield

Man analyzing workforce data on a computer screen displaying dashboards, statistics, and interactive maps.

FACTS

Project in numbers

600

million

data generated by Brightfield per city in real time - every day.

500

pilot customers

have access to the platform during the beta phase, allowing them to manage their daily business digitally.

4

million

transformers in the distribution grid can be digitised.

THE CHALLENGE

Embracing digitalisation for a sustainable energy future

The digitisation of distribution grids is essential to accelerate the energy transition and ensure a reliable energy supply. To achieve this, it is vital to foster innovative solutions and cultivate close cooperation across a number of different industries and sectors. Harnessing the power of data is pivotal in driving the digital transformation of electricity grids, as they generate over 600 million data points daily. A platform capable of transforming these data points into smart data units would play a critical role in making distribution grids resilient and future-proof.

What we did

Converting transformers into real-time data units

With Brightfield, we have redefined the capabilities of transformers, turning them into powerful real-time data units. By leveraging time-synchronised transformer data, our system enables users to effectively predict and prevent faults. This innovative approach collects and timestamps data, providing valuable insights into grid utilisation that can be used to optimise planning and significantly reduce maintenance costs. Our AI-driven load prediction enhances accuracy, which ensures profitability in large-scale renewable energy integration – a critical challenge for today’s grids. The IoT and big-data-analytics-powered transformer system secures uninterrupted energy flow, while benefiting from Google Germany’s cloud storage expertise. Potentially the world’s first application to track energy grid data in near real-time without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades, Brightfield delivers a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution for energy grid digitisation. Additionally, we simplify data evaluation through a use-case-driven dashboard, empowering users with actionable insights to drive efficiency and reliability in energy distribution.

How we did it

A methodological approach to innovation

We began with a comprehensive evaluation of technical feasibility, performance metrics and budget constraints, focusing on large-scale real-time data collection for distribution networks. Our approach included iterative refinement of use cases to maximise data benefits, making use of modern microservice architecture, Terraform for infrastructure as code and serverless computing for robust data processing. Precision in technical implementation prioritised seamless user experience, while ongoing product development and intuitive data visualisation fostered scalability and user acceptance. This solution-oriented R & D approach enabled the development of a plug-and-play measurement device and a robust cloud architecture for energy grid digitisation.

The results

Enhanced grid reliability: the system’s predictive capabilities have significantly reduced downtime, leading to a more stable and dependable energy distribution network.
Optimised operational efficiency: with real-time insights into grid utilisation, operators can optimise planning and cut maintenance costs, ultimately driving profitability in renewable energy integration.
Cost-effective implementation: Brightfield represents a groundbreaking solution that requires minimal infrastructure upgrades, making energy grid digitisation accessible and efficient.
User-centric data visualisation: our use-case-driven dashboard simplifies data evaluation, empowering users to make informed decisions that enhance operational performance.

What we learned

Brightfield not only addresses the pressing challenges of today’s energy landscape, but also lays the foundations for a sustainable and resilient future. Our joint achievements with our partners at E.ON showcase the transformative power of collaboration and innovation, demonstrating how intelligent data solutions can drive meaningful change in the energy sector. As we continue to refine and expand this initiative, we are committed to Brightfield not only addresses the pressing challenges of today’s energy landscape, but also lays the foundations for a sustainable and resilient future. Our joint achievements with our partners at E.ON showcase the transformative power of collaboration and innovation, demonstrating how intelligent data solutions can drive meaningful change in the energy sector. As we continue to refine and expand this initiative, we are committed to supporting the ongoing energy transition and unlocking new potential for a greener tomorrow.

The energy transition demands immediate action, and digital innovation is key. Brightfield represents a significant step forward in energy efficiency. We are proud to have brought this groundbreaking solution to life, delivering societal benefits alongside major partners like E.ON and Google.

Sebastian Krüger

Chief Executive Officer

Ray Sono AG

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Transport & Logistics