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Cross-Industry Ecosystem

Many companies are trying to solve similar problems.

Why not join forces and innovate together?

Our cross-industry innovation ecosystem drives efficient and technology-enabled solutions for critical decentralized infrastructure challenges.

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Our Believe

Efficient innovation needs collaboration

For companies, the accelerated progress in innovation development means an intensification of the strategic dilemma of resource allocation. Where are scarce resources best allocated? In day-to-day business, where money is earned every day? Or in innovation areas, where tomorrow’s business and the future viability of the company are ensured?

We are convinced that the only way forward lies in forms of cooperation that allow external expertise, existing preliminary work and other financial resources to flow in efficiently.

Our Approach

We do not reinvent the wheel, we share and nurture it together

Individual, isolated efforts can not fully exploit the potential of ideas. By collaborating with companies facing similar challenges or possessing complementary skills, resources, infrastructure and knowledge can be shared.

This not only reduces innovation costs but also accelerates the speed of progress. Building entire ecosystems enables experts to closely network, learn from each other and develop solutions through joint projects.

Our Concept

We bring together actors with similar innovation challenges

The ecosystem is based on a simple GIVE&GET logic. Through the principle of fair reciprocity, each individual company contributes new challenges, experts and budget to the ecosystem and in return receives faster and more favorable (through shared costs) access to new prototypes, preliminary work and findings.

Participants submit project proposals that are then discussed during our on-site Ecosystem meetings four times a year. After the scoping has been done, the project is ready to kick-off.

Together we create value

Lower transaction costs + unlocking synergy = delivering impact

By uniting diverse expertise, experiences and ideas, we unlock the power of synergy and innovation. Our mission is to drive efficient and technology-enabled solutions for asset management challenges and ultimately achieve results with real business impact.

SPEED | Gaining knowledge faster

  • Leveraging shared insights for quicker deployment
  • Exchanging continuously for a common understanding and accelerated real-life applications
  • Preparing for the future by overcoming company barriers and realizing end-to-end solutions

COST | Reducing implementation costs

  • Splitting the bill by common proof-of-concept projects with shared budgets
  • Not reinventing the wheel, but learning from partners who face similar challenges
  • Bundling forces to become more cost-effective and efficient

DATA | Sharing data for AI-models

  • Increasing data availability that leads to more accurate and robust AI-models
  • Pooling of data for more diverse and representative data sets
  • Reducing cost through resource sharing in developing and maintaining models

KNOWLEDGE | Discovering tech-value

  • Finding technologies to help tackling your challenges
  • Linking experts from different companies directly with each other
  • Cooperating with key players, start-ups and research institutes
Ways of working

Working on cutting-edge solutions across Europe

Our Ecosystem spreads across Europe, where combined efforts help to drive the future of energy solutions.

Current Partners

We drive strong European partnerships

At present, our Ecosystem proudly comprises seven prominent operators of critical infrastructure located in Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

These organizations share a common purpose: cultivating an atmosphere that nurtures growth and innovation. Joining our ecosystem opens the door to great opportunities and the prospect of elevating your asset management initiatives through dynamic partnerships. This unique collaboration fosters knowledge exchange, best practices sharing and joint ventures in cutting-edge energy solutions.

Proven collaboration process

We lower transaction costs through collaboration

Outcome oriented collaboration can only be efficient, when the process lowers transactions costs. Therefore, we developed our cooperation operating system.

At the core of our collaboration process stands the proof-of-concept marketplace. This takes place regularly at the ecosystem’s on-site meetings. Each partner can submit new use cases or proof-of-concept proposals with the help of suitable templates. If there is interest from more than one additional ecosystem partner, the lowest common denominator of the scope is further defined – a new project is created.

Current Projects

Results with real business impact

Discover our wide portfolio of projects in the context of digitalizing asset management for energy grid operators. These initiatives have already delivered real and measurable results. Explore how we are reshaping the energy sector.

Remote Inspection by Drones

Calculate drone routes

Development of an algorithm which calculates the best drone route for automated flight paths. In that way, optimal data capture for maintenance and digitalization application is enabled.

Asset Health Index

Predictive maintenance

Knowledge sharing about different approaches to calculate an AHI for transformers. The achieved objective is to predict failures, outages and optimize maintenance cycles.

1st BVLOS Flight

Autonomous flight

Getting the first SORA-approval for Switzerland enabling an inspection of a power line over 20 km across inhabited areas, highways and in proximity to an airport.

Smart Image Database

Combined data for better AI-models

Together we are building an image database to train AI-models for fault recognition. This is only possible through collaboration as most of the Transmission Line Operators (TLOs) in Europe have too few images of their energy grids. By combining all images in one single data pool it is possible to train much better AI-models.

The goal is to establish a shared database of over headline component images that will enable better, faster and cheaper realization of use cases for smart grid inspection for the involved partners. These use cases include AI models that predict anomalies, propose optimized maintenance cycles or lifetime extension measures as well as a better availability of asset information.

Drone in a box

Quick incident resolution with drones

To minimize the time for identifying a problem on a line, we tested an autonomous BVLOS drone in a box system in Belgium.

DLR sensor testing

Technologies for dynamic line rating

In the ecosystem, we explored different sensor technologies and identified the right sensors to test them on a line in Spain. 

Satellite images

Use cases for satellite images

Based on an inspiring key note, we discussed different use cases of satellite images in the context of asset management.

Safety monitoring by video- AI

Saving lives with ethical proof Video-AI

Despite all safety precautions, working in high voltage areas can be hazardous. We pondered how Video-AI could be utilized to alert workers or vehicle drivers during construction when they enter perilous zones.

Consequently, we implemented a video system in a substation to ascertain the optimal operating conditions and necessary prerequisites.

To guarantee acceptance by the workforce and prevent misuse, technical safeguards were established and the works council was thoroughly engaged.

Our Searchfields

Cross-industry exchange: We are constantly looking for solutions from start-ups or other sectors

Within the area of maintenance and servicing of critical infrastructures we are searching for new solutions. You are a start-up, or you work in another sector but have already solved one of our problems or have a solution that can be adapted?

Get in touch

RFP: Precise 3D Reconstruction

Reliable 3D Modeling of Complex Lattice Towers

Our cross-industry ecosystem is exploring new solutions for creating precise 3D models of complex lattice towers. We are seeking proposals for an automated process that captures data and models with millimetric accuracy. Successful applicants will might have the opportunity to conduct a Proof-of-Concept on existing infrastructure.

Download RFP

Scan 2 BIM

Automated remodeling

Infrastructure assets can become very old. As a result, there are often no digital plans for many of them. For this reason, we are looking for solutions for automated remodeling of point clouds to concrete and reliable 3D models.

Detecting underground

Ground vision systems

Supply maps often do not show the actual underground pipes. This often leads to delays at construction sites. For this reason, we are scouting for innovative technologies, that are able to efficiently detect the underground.

3D Printing of Foundations

Foundation printing

3D printing processes enable more robust structures that also use less material. Another advantage is decentralized production directly on site. For this reason, we are exploring solutions for 3D printing.

Our success in numbers

Measurable impact in multiple dimensions

In only two years of operation, we can show off excellent results:

+40

Explored use cases

+25

Joint projects

2,5m€

Cumulated PoC-budget saved

+30

New connected experts per partner

4x

Reported innovation speed from idea to PoC

How to participate

Your way in the ecosystem: Engage, grow and inspire

Whether you are looking to engage in a membership, get involved in a use case project, or simply present a keynote or pitch your solution, we offer plenty of options to work with us.

Present a keynote

Join us for a keynote during our physical Ecosystem meetings that take place four times a year. Prepare to inspire and get inspired by the discussions with our partners.

Other ideas?

Participate in a use case project

Get involved in a specific project and contribute to a real-world solution together with experts from other companies.

Other ideas?

Pitch your solution

With our Ecosystem, you are invited to present your ideas to a diverse audience of potential partners and collaborators. Find meaningful connections and collaborations.

Other ideas?

Let’s connect your sector

Together with you, we create an ecosystem in your sector. Want to know more?

Get in touch with us!

Become part of the Ecosystem

Discover the power of collaboration and innovation as you co-build proof-of-concepts, share budgets and save time in technology implementation. 

Other ideas?

What our members say

Measurable impact in multiple dimensions

The members of our ecosystem recognize the broad variety of benefits added through our ecosystem.

Elia Group

“The platform encourages innovative thinking because we bring on the table different perspectives of asset management challenges and this leads us towards unconventional solutions.“

Irid Bufi, Innovation Manager Asset Management

SBB

“What I like about cross-industry innovators is the open spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing among all partners.“

Phillipp Wenk, Head of Program Digital Power Plant

Vinci Energies

“The cross-industry platform brings together expertise that benefits everyone in the community.“

Jörg Bastel, Leitung Digitalschmiede Frankfurt

REE/Elewit

“The diverse backgrounds of the members guarantees discussions with novel and unorthodox ideas.“

Miguel Lorenzo Sotelo, Innovation Manager

Swissgrid

„Cross-sector innovators ensure efficient use of resources. That moves us all forward together.“

Martina Rohrer, Innovation Manager

APG

„Cross-industry innovator’s approach enables us at APG to scale up innovation projects.“

Paul Japek, Innovation Manager

E.ON/ E.DIS

“By working together, we were able to share data and train AI models, which would have been much more difficult on our own.“

Alexander Türk, Head of Innovation

50Hertz

„By stepping out of our industry comfort zone, finding mutual areas of interest, and collaborating on tangible proof-of-concept projects, we have significantly saved time and resources.“

Eva Schramm, Innovation Manager

Get in touch

Let’s start your cross-innovation journey!

Our team is excited to talk to you about how our Ecosystem can benefit your organization. We are eager to explore potential collaboration opportunities and are here to address any questions you may have. 

Feel free to send us an e-mail and book a meeting with us.

T +49 (40) 33 44 151 – 17

Write an e-mail

Infront Consulting & Management GmbH

Highly concentrated solutions

Infront is a leading strategy andmanagement consultancy focused on digitaltransformation. In our core industries, we advise on all topics, in particular business model strategies, innovation ecosystems and renewal of core business.

In conjunction with KPS, Infront provides the strategic and comprehensive foundation for the immediately effective, individually designed and differentiating digital transformation of your company.

Infront is repeatedly recognized with important awards based on very different and particularly credible selection bodies: an interdisciplinary expert jury (“Best of Consulting”), broad-based competitor and customer surveys(“Best Consultant”) or an intensive survey of 500 executives (“HiddenChampion”). In addition, KPS AG has received numerous awards.

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