Our future grid

The power line grid in Switzerland is over 250 000 km long. An enormous network that must also meet the requirements of the future. The Grids division is tackling these challenges with a programme called Grid 4.0 and developing new approaches for the future power grids and how they can be operated.

Grid 4.0 is a programme initiated by the Axpo Grids division and aims to accelerate digital transformation and innovation in the grid business through employee participation. This speeds up the process to create new solutions for tomorrow's grid. The programme’s core team comprises ten people, who support employees in business and in various projects.

A few impressions of the issues that the team faces in its daily work: 

Numerous projects are in the works under Grid 4.0. Based on a roadmap that is updated every year with new ideas and insights, an increasing number of projects have been initiated and realised over the last two years. Currently, between 20 and 30 digital projects are being advanced in the Grids division. 

Grid 4.0 and the projects under the programme are organised along the four thrusts organisation, workforce, analytics and robotics. New solutions are designed and tested, and, rolled out if they have success potential.

An interdisciplinary cooperation

"For example, we are currently testing drones in combination with automatic image recognition, or the automated routing of new lines with the help of software in order to optimise and automate work processes," explains Johannes Manser, Head of Business and Data Analytics, and the project manager of Grid 4.0 at Axpo. "We are already working together with numerous colleagues in the Axpo Group and bundling our know-how. Interdisciplinary cooperation across divisions and business areas is the only way to drive new, innovative digital solutions.