Transelectrica has a portfolio of research and innovation projects in excess of 200 million euros aimed at digitalizing the national energy system, infrastructure interoperability and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality or digital twin, said Bogdan Leu, Project Manager for Research and Innovation, Transelectrica.
“There is a strong legislative lobbying battle at European Commission level on the technological solutions to be included in the new regulation. Together with other European operators, we have signed position papers to advocate for a framework that is as inclusive as possible,” Leu said at the DigitALL 2025 conference organised by Energynomics.
Transelectrica has an ongoing development plan for the period 2024-2034, structured in three major objectives, one of which is dedicated to the digitalization of the electricity grid. This has two key objectives, namely securing the infrastructure and increasing interoperability between existing systems.
“Here we see that there is a double pressure. Once from the regulator’s perspective, from the European Commission, to push this level of digitisation to streamline processes, and it’s also being pushed by grassroots initiatives, start-ups, companies and so on,” Leu added.
The company is testing artificial intelligence solutions through pilot projects, which use AI agents to analyse operational data and generate recommendations for maintenance or operation. A prime example is the Alba Iulia digital station, a complex project that is due to go live this summer after an extended period of standardisation and fine-tuning of technological requirements.
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At the same time, Transelectrica invests in the training of specialists through a dedicated laboratory, developed in partnership with the Faculty of Energetics, as well as through an innovation hub created in the Research Campus of the Politehnica University of Bucharest.
“These technologies are not cheap, that’s why our strategy is to attract European funding – for three projects we have obtained non-reimbursable grants of between €50 and €60 million each,” said Mr Leu.
The “DigitALL 2025” conference was organised by Energynomics, in partnership with reputed organisations such as the CIO Council and EPG, with the support of our partners: ABB, Corning, Datacor, Eaton Electric, Enevo Group, Enevo Group, Procesio, Renomia, script.ai, Sunwire, Vertiv.