Amprion is founding alphaGrid, a subsidiary dedicated to developing AI applications for electricity networks. The company, based in Berlin, will develop solutions for grid planning, network operations and energy market design. Amprion is investing a mid-two-digit million-euro amount in the venture over the next ten years.
As the energy sector is transforming, the demands on the planning and operation of electricity networks are rising. A growing number of decentralized generation facilities and storage systems as well as increasingly flexible consumers are driving greater complexity. Artificial intelligence can help analyze large volumes of data more quickly, better predict developments, and support grid operators in decision-making.
“The energy transition needs new digital tools alongside new power lines,” says Dr. Christoph Müller, CEO of Amprion GmbH, one of Europe’s leading transmission system operators. “Artificial intelligence offers major opportunities to develop our energy system further, safely and efficiently. With alphaGrid, we are bringing together expertise in a dedicated unit, combining technological innovation with our experience in planning and operating one of Europe’s largest transmission grids,” the Amprion CEO added.
alphaGrid is developing AI for three application areas:
- Grid planning: AI support enables more efficient modeling of power grids and better evaluation of expansion options.
- System operation: AI can help identify critical grid situations earlier and increase resilience.
- Energy market design: AI-based forecasts allow developments and interdependencies in the energy market to be analyzed on a data-driven basis.
As a first step, alphaGrid will focus primarily on AI applications for Amprion. Within the framework of research projects, cooperation with partners from the energy sector is also planned.
Amprion has established alphaGrid as an independent subsidiary based in Berlin. Amprion is investing a mid-two-digit million-euro amount in building up the company over the next ten years.
AI as an answer to the challenges of real-time operation
“Our particular strength lies in combining AI with data from the real-time operation of one of Europe’s largest transmission grids,” says Thomas Dederichs, CEO of alphaGrid GmbH. “Because we work directly within a live transmission network, we can develop our applications to solve real operational challenges. This allows us to test and refine solutions, and scale them over time.”
CEO Benjamin Schwarzer emphasizes: “Berlin gives us access to a strong technology and research environment. From there, we want to build targeted partnerships with technology companies, the energy industry and academia, because developing high-performing AI applications requires a range of different expertise.”
Thomas Dederichs brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of the energy industry and grid policy. He currently heads the System Development department at Amprion. He was a co-founder of envelio GmbH, which has won numerous awards as an energy start-up.
Benjamin Schwarzer holds a degree in business informatics and has been a member of Amprion’s senior management for five years. As Head of IT & Digitalization, he is responsible for the company’s digital transformation. He previously led corporate development at Amprion. Before moving into the energy industry, he spent ten years at Meyer Werft.
