Cosmin Ghita, Distributie Oltenia: “We are preparing new projects worth 200 million Euro”

“We are accelerating the introducing of innovation and digitalization into all our activities. We are proud of the smart transformation program that we started in 2014. It was a difficult start because back then digitalization in energy was still at the beginning of the road.

At the moment we are already reaping some of the benefits. We have implemented a number of computer systems that have improved our operational efficiency. We moved on to data-driven decisions. We managed to be closer to our customers on digital channels.

The field teams are equipped with state-of-the-art tablets, controlled by a workforce management system. We have over 440 teams using these tablets every day. We have implemented over 180,000 smart meters. We have implemented a digital map of our network that we have made available to our customers. It is on our website and can be accessed at any time,” Cosmin Ghita, Director of Digitalization and Innovation, Distributie Oltenia said during Digital Transformation Conference – Energy & Utilities organized by The Diplomat-Bucharest.

“In 2022 we started two big projects. A project is meant to address the digital transformation, an advanced network management system, to help us with better network planning, increase its capacity, increase the integration capacity of new renewable energy sources and prosumers, opening to the market emobility through electric charging stations. We try to prepare as well as possible for the future.

We implement an advanced asset management system through artificial intelligence algorithms. We remain open to new technologies. We already have pilot projects that we have tested. We use drones in the maintenance activity. We have trained personnel to use these drones in the 7 counties in which we are present.

The technology is quite expensive, but the network requires a fairly high degree of investment. Digital projects are largely funded by European funds. We have already attracted about 80 million euros. We have planned other projects for digital transformation, for the integration of new capacities worth 200 million euros for which we are looking for financing.

Prosumers are very important to us. We have the largest number of integrated prosumers among distribution operators: over 3,000 today. We expect another 7,000 prosumers to be integrated into our networks this year.”

Full recording of the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3n2T29iadE