Three continents, one clear pattern: technology that succeeds adapts to what operators actually need. Nordic operators seek operational control, Germans prioritize risk reduction, Australians focus on remote operations. Same platform, entirely different value propositions. The future isn't standardization or customization—it's both simultaneously.
Niklas Wicén, CPO at Gomero, shares his reflections from Energiforsk's course on asset management and data collection for electricity grid companies.
Germany's decentralized regulatory environment creates unique demands where flexible precision becomes competitive advantage. German operators emphasize risk reduction—shifting from manual processes to autonomous monitoring reduces both personnel and operational risk. Environmentally-friendly transformer fluids MIDEL 7131 and Cargill FR3 are growing globally with the same validation requirements.
Nordic operators often begin with SF6 monitoring for compliance, but quickly discover the strategic value of operational control. The journey from scheduled to condition-based maintenance transforms contractor relationships and gives operators visibility over their assets. Nordic climate drives hardware robustness while values around data sovereignty and flexibility shape the platform's ecosystem.
Gomero, in collaboration with Trafag and Regal, delivers condition-based maintenance for grid operators – combining reliable sensors, local expertise, and AI-driven analysis to detect deviations early and support better decision-making.
Australia's vast distances fundamentally change predictive maintenance value. Extreme conditions drive innovations benefiting all markets: from wildlife-adapted filtration to cooling system monitoring and robust telecommunications. Distance is no longer a barrier—it's the driver behind remote-first operational models.
When large parts of Southern Europe were hit by power outages earlier this year, it became clear how vulnerable even a modern energy system can be. The climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable, and electricity demand is rising. Meeting this challenge requires both increased capacity and a smarter approach to managing the power grid.
Gomero's sandbox environment at IBM Maximo enables energy companies to test predictive maintenance from sensor to work order – risk-free.
Utility companies are redefining asset management from a reactive, administrative function to a strategic role central to decision-making. This shift is driven by electrification and the need for better data integration, enabling smarter, proactive infrastructure investments and operational efficiencies.
What does "out of the box" mean for energy sector IoT? Three critical questions to ask before your next predictive maintenance investment.
Why digitalization projects that work well as POCs can become complex when scaled up. Five common challenges and how energy companies can prepare for successful implementation.
Gomero's digital maintenance solutions enhance substation efficiency while ensuring cybersecurity. Features include secure data communication, cloud-based protection, proactive monitoring, strict user access controls, reliable backups, and ISO 27001 certification, safeguarding the electrical grid against cyber threats and societal impacts.
A recent Energiforsk study shows that Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) can reduce annual maintenance costs in the European energy sector by up to 24%. Successful implementation requires optimal data integration, organizational readiness, and a strategic vision beyond mere cost savings.
Learn why energy sector digitalization projects fail to utilize data effectively and how advanced analytics transforms collected data into actionable insights.
As the energy transition accelerates, resource-efficient maintenance becomes increasingly important. Modern electricity networks with increasing proportions of renewable energy and distributed production place new demands on flexibility and reliability. By implementing digital infrastructure for predictive maintenance, conditions are created to handle future challenges.
With the help of more connected assets in Ellevio's substations, Gomero is contributing to one of Sweden's largest energy companies being able to work with more digitised maintenance inspections and workflows.
Predictive maintenance represents an important change in the energy sector. By replacing reactive and schedule-based strategies with data-driven, proactive monitoring, energy companies can increase operational reliability, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure.
Electricity grid operators worldwide are striving to connect critical assets remotely to streamline and digitize their maintenance. To support this development, Gomero is deepening its collaboration with IBM. Combining Gomero's advanced data collection and analysis technology with IBM's asset management platform creates an innovative and data-driven approach to substation maintenance.
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has long played a crucial role in power grids. The gas's exceptional insulating properties make it indispensable for transformer stations and other high-voltage systems. However, SF6 is also one of the most potent greenhouse gases, making its management a key environmental issue.
Through digitalised maintenance, inspections and data reporting, personnel safety can be significantly improved, especially with predictive systems that anticipate potential faults using data collection and advanced analysis.
