A warm welcome to TransnetBW, who have recently joined our IPAI community. TransnetBW is one of four Transmission System Operators (TSO) in Germany and is at the forefront of ensuring a secure power supply through innovative solutions and sustainable grid projects. The company plans, builds, and operates the electricity transmission grid in Baden-Württemberg, ensuring a reliable power supply not only in the region but also across Germany and Europe. TransnetBW serves a wide range of customers, including numerous electricity traders, power plant operators, and distribution grid operators, both domestically and internationally.
Today, we’re joined by Tobias, the Head of Commercial Grid & Digitalisation, to discuss the exciting role of AI in TransnetBW’s operations.
IPAI: Tobias, welcome! Let’s start with your vision for integrating AI at TransnetBW. How do you see AI technologies contributing to the electricity grid?
Tobias: Our vision is to strategically implement AI technologies in both the expansion and operation of the electricity grid. This will help us enhance efficiency, sustainability, and security while continuously making the system smarter.
That’s a compelling vision! Can you elaborate on the Can you elaborate on the importance of collaborating with other companies facing similar challenges and which types of partnerships you’re pursuing?
Certainly! We’re focused on connecting with organizations that deal with critical infrastructure and sensitive data. This includes applying AI in construction projects and operational processes. Collaborating with partners who have AI expertise allows us to develop cross-company solutions and access practical know-how and best practices.
We believe that AI will become a part of everyday life for all employees, fostering innovation and collaboration through a combination of relevant stakeholders and modern infrastructure. Education and knowledge sharing will be key components of this transition.
Tobias Egeler
Head of Commercial Grid & Digitalisation at TransnetBW
What initial experiences have you had with AI technologies, like MS Copilot or pilot projects?
We’ve started to test tools like MS Copilot and are currently running several AI pilot projects. These experiences are vital as we explore how to integrate AI into our daily operations.
Looking ahead, how do you see AI evolving within your organization?
AI will be a key technology for us moving forward and we expect to leverage artificial intelligence as a tool to create value for our company. We want to stay closely aligned with advancements in AI and view IPAI as a way to connect practical applications with research all in one place.
As AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, what are you mainly focusing on?
We are fostering a culture of innovation by encouraging cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing. By bringing together diverse teams from different departments, we can harness a wide range of perspectives and expertise, driving creative problem-solving and the development of cutting-edge AI applications.
Our current primary goals are to automate and optimize processes while ensuring the safety and stability of the electricity grid. We are also addressing challenges like data quality, availability, and integration with existing systems. All activities will contribute to a robust framework for AI governance that we are currently developing. We want to specify what is important for us as a company when dealing with AI and align with regulatory requirements like the EU AI Act.
It’s clear that you have a comprehensive strategy. Before we wrap up, how do you envision the future of AI in your workplace?
We believe that AI will become a part of everyday life for all employees, fostering innovation and collaboration through a combination of relevant stakeholders and modern infrastructure. AI will be a tool that helps us to achieve our corporate goals and driving the energy transition.
Thank you, Tobias, for sharing your insights today. We’re excited to have TransnetBW join our network and look forward to seeing how your innovative approaches to AI will shape the future of energy supply!