International Business Machines (IBM) has launched the Smarter Energy Research Institute with the aim of accelerating innovation across the global energy and utilities market.
Hydro-Quebec, the Netherlands’ Alliander and US-based DTE Energy have joined as the first members in this new institute, which is expected to transform energy firms through the use of advanced computation, system optimisation and predictive analytics.
The new institute will focus on five core innovation tracks – outage planning optimisation, asset management optimisation, integration of renewables and distributed energy resources, wide-area situational awareness and the participatory network.
IBM’s research institute allows for joint research where shared investments, knowledge and capabilities will benefit each member, the company said.
Hydro-Quebec technology innovation director Jean Lessard said: "This is an important milestone for the industry and for Hydro-Quebec as we intensify our efforts to improve grid performance and stability."
Alliander asset management director Rob Maathuis added: "There is no other research-led consortium like the Smarter Energy Research Institute in our market and we believe that by bringing advanced research closer to areas of high industry importance, we can compress the time from research to implementation and business value."
DTE Energy distribution operations VP Vince Dow remarked: "Participating in this Institute allows us to utilise advances in predictive analytics to optimise the operation of our key assets and improve the reliability of our electric grid."
Image: Smarter Energy Research Institute director Dario Gil. Photo: courtesy of IBM.
