Regional energy company Affärsverken Karlskrona expands its digitalization of the power grid, adding the grid analytics solution from cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) to yet another substation, Intaget.

What keeps the society running? Electricity
Who secures the distribution of electricity in Karlskrona? Affärsverken Karlskrona
What helps Affärsverken Karlskrona ensure a resilient distribution? An improved grid insight
So, improved grid insight keeps society running!

And during the week of September 13^th, the dLab team made a trip to Karlskrona to commission another dLab system, providing improved grid insight for Affärsverken Karlskrona.

-Affärsverken Karlskrona has been testing and using our platform with interesting results, and we are very pleased they have chosen to continue the digitalization journey by adding our capabilities covering a wider part of the grid, says Henrik Winberg, COO at dLab.

Previously dLab were proud to announce that a trip of one entire station could be avoided due to a deeper investigation of a cable network triggered by short fault events from dLab. The investigation led to a replacement of a faulty load disconnector in time, preventing a blackout for thousands of customers for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) – https://dlaboratory.com

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a cleantech company offering an intelligent digital platform facilitating for the energy sector to support the sustainable society of tomorrow. By providing visual grid analytics that enables data-driven decision-making, the possibilities are opened for a modernized way of working and a more resilient power grid. dLab is a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.
To learn more about dLab please visit www.dlaboratory.com 

It´s going to get better. As it gets better, more cleantech companies like dLab will incorporate it into their system. As they do, their system will operate more effectively, and we will move even faster towards the sustainable future we aim for. This is what dLab believes!

dLab also believe in supporting the sustainable society of tomorrow by offering an intelligent platform for the energy sector.

By providing visual analytics and enabling data-driven decision-making, the possibilities are opened for a modernized way of working and a more resilient power grid.

How does dLab use AI to gain further insight to their data?

Earlier this year, we conducted a study where we with the help of so-called unsupervised machine learning tried to find clusters of patterns in a large set of our recorded data. The results were very promising, and to further develop our solution dLab is now launching an AI initiative, beginning with the development of a number of proof-of-concepts to test hypotheses that our engineers have put forth.

Our platform analyzes thousands of recordings each week, and a large number of these are categorized as a “registration” (a “registration” in dLab-terms is the lowest level of severity). These registrations in themselves currently does not provide as much useful insights to the customer as an actual disturbance does, but there may be patterns to detect from them, nonetheless.

Also, although we take much pride in how much detailed information our algorithms provide in case of a disturbance (feeder(s) affected, type of incident and key values such as maximum rms-values to mention a few), we believe these recordings might hide even more interesting tidbits, such as what the actual cause of the fault was.

For example, we have seen indications that certain component failures in the grid manifest as specific patterns in the waveforms of the measured voltages. Currently, our solution correctly identifies and categorizes these incidents as either overcurrents, earth faults, etc., but with machine learning, we could potentially do better. These indications that we have observed could be proven (or where applicable, and perhaps just as important, disproven) and even more correlations between waveform patterns and fault causes could be found. We just will not know until we embark on this endeavour.

“It is our conviction that this is a field worth investigating more”, says dLab’s CTO Fredrik Akke. “Of course, we must not abandon the more traditional approach of advanced signal processing, but by complementing our well-tried and powerful algorithms with Machine Learning and statistical analysis, I believe truly interesting results can be achieved”.

The additional information and knowledge the answers to these questions can provide would further enable our customers to take another step towards becoming a truly modern grid operator where they don’t just react to situations but are able to plan ahead and work more proactively.

Energy utility company Falkenberg Energi is widening the usage of the dInsight Analytics Platform from cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) by adding power quality measurement.

Falkenberg Energi, located on the beautiful west coast of Sweden, are continuously striving to evaluate and add new technologies to secure better infrastructure. The smart grid is seen as a necessity to keep up with the development of society and cope with the transition to a fossil-free society.

• The transition to a more renewable energy system requires a stable and modern electricity grid to be able to handle locally produced electricity, more homes, electric cars, the establishment of electricity-intensive industry and the phasing out of fossil energy sources. By adding dQuality, we strengthen our possibilities to have a wider and better insight in the grid, says Mats Bengtsson, System Engineer at Falkenberg Energi.

Falkenberg Energi has been utilizing dLab’s dInsight Analytics Platform for a couple of years and have now taken yet another step, by adding the power quality monitoring component dQuality 3.0.

• We are very happy to be able to provide a comprehensive solution that helps Falkenberg Energi to identify and address constraints in the grid. This latest module in our platform helps them to get in control of for instance reactive power and harmonics, and then further correlate these measurements with other deviations detected by our dAnalyzer, says Fredrik Akke, CTO at dLab.

The commissioning of dQuality 3.0 means that Falkenberg Energi now takes yet another step towards their goal to streamline the entire chain for increase operational reliability and cost efficiency.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

On August 2, it was announced that the cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) acquires the Swedish company Svensk Linjebesiktning (SLB). SLB provides grid inspection services including advanced solutions augmenting traditional workflows and facilitates for effective and appropriate corrective actions.

SLB inspects electricity and telecommunication grids for grid operators, and has profound relationships with Ellevio, E.ON and Vattenfall, and others. Besides more standard power grid inspection services, SLB has introduced the usage of advanced technologies into the inspection of substations and overhead power lines, where the latter includes the usage of drones. The results from the inspections are categorized according to a classification system specified by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

– There are significant synergies between dLab’s existing operations within smart grid analytics and SLB’s business areas Electricity and New Technology. The acquisition of SLB is in line with our long-term goal of strengthening the offering within smart grid analytics, enabling a reliable and cost-effective electricity distribution for our customers, says dLab’s CEO, Erik Severin.

Prior joint projects carried out between dLab, SLB and DSOs, has demonstrated a significant potential in combining the two platforms. By utilizing the dLab early warning system and the SLB optimized inspection services, grid operators can achieve a cost effective and powerful proactive process to avoid catastrophic failures. The combination will further strengthen the process transforming analytics to action, the contextualization, in the dInsight Analytics Platform, and support digitalization of field inspections.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

Cleantech company dLaboratory Sweden AB (publ) strengthens the service agreement for customers focusing on iterative actions for proactive grid improvements. Enhancing the use of data displayed in dLab’s dInsight Analytics Platform, dServices 2.0 includes continuous evaluations based on set KPIs, regular meetings and adjustments in the software.

dLab’s process for gaining knowledge out of grid incident analysis has four basic steps: collecting incident data from the grid; analyzing collected data in real-time; interpreting and visualizing data for gaining insight; and finally, applying this data into meaningful operative contexts. To support customers in this, dLab launched last year a support service called dServices, which in particular focus on the last step.

Based on projects completed since the launch of dServices and in-depth interviews with dLab’s user community, dLab has now developed dServices 2.0 into a support function processing insights and contextualizing trends. dServices 2.0 is centered around an iterative process of matching insights to relevant actions, i.e. dLab’s experts support the customers’ strategic and operative teams to take proactive actions.

– Our updated dServices is a way to efficiently support our customers, based on their needs, in the journey from analyzing data to using data for proactive measures. It is a different way of working, but it does not have to be a difficult transition and with these services we want to lower the barrier. More and more of our customers embark on this journey, and we are there to support them, says Henrik Winberg, COO at dLab.

dServices 2.0 consists of a tailored program and can be used across the company, from operative teams to grid planning or maintenance teams.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

Utility company Vimmerby Energi & Miljö AB introduced dInsight Analytics Platform from Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) in their entire grid in 2019. Since, dLab’s solution has helped the company to keep track of incidents in the power distribution – from the overlaying grid, in their own grid and even in the customers’ facilities. 

Vimmerby Energi & Miljö AB (Vemab) is a regional utilities company in the middle of Småland, managing heat, electricity, water, and waste for 5000 customers. Vemab’s grid is 350 km of mainly cable, running through the town of Vimmerby and surrounding lands. Two large industries are connected to Vemab’s grid: dairies manufacturer Arla and brewing company Åbro Bryggeri.

– We wanted to keep track of the incidents in the grid in a better way, that is why we chose dLab’s solution. Now we see everything in detail – from incidents in the overlaying grid to incidents in the facilities of our customers, even. To be able to monitor the grid this closely is a great advantage, says Per Svensson, Head of Distribution at Vimmerby Energi & Miljö AB.

Last year, a telling incident occurred; in August dLab’s system signaled for a fault in the north part of Vimmerby, but there was no outage registered. When Vemab’s maintenance team went to the location, it turned out to be a construction site where the excavator operator had accidentally damaged an electrical cable.

– The contractor actually stood there with his phone in his hand, ready to call us, when we turned up, says Per Svensson That incident is such a good example of how quickly we could react, and how our fault detection can be improved using dLab’ solution.

Vemab is actively using dLab’s solution, meaning that the grid operations team check the system on a daily basis, and if something is wrong, they can decide on actions much faster.

– One advantage is that dLab’s system helps us build awareness of the grid’s condition; we can for instance verify that a certain voltage dip in the facilities of one of our customers comes from the overlaying grid or from disturbances in our grid. For industries with sensitive gear, that is very important to know, says Per Svensson.

– It’s great to see that Vemab really uses the data coming from our analytics platform to improve their operations processes – that is the basis of data driven, modern utilities operations, says Fredrik Akke, CTO at dLab.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

The majority of The Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate’s suggested new indicators for measuring smart grid development can be met with the data analytics solution from Dlaboratory Sweden AB. – A true verification of the viability of our solution, comments Erik Severin, CEO of dLab.

The Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate (Ei) has been given – through EU’s revised electricity market directive (EU 2019/944) – authority to supervise and evaluate smart grid development in Sweden. As a part of this commission, Ei has analyzed which indicators would suit this task.

– Reviewing these suggested indicators, dLab’s patented grid incident analysis solution can deliver many of the values needed for evaluation – an important verification of dLab’s mission to contribute to the building of smart grids, globally, says Erik Severin, CEO of dLab.

Ei’s report Ei R2021:07, “Indikatorer för utvecklingen av smarta elnät”, published recently, states that the development of smart grids should focus on energy transition (integrating new production and technology), energy efficiency and a reliable and resilient grid. And to be able to work with these aspects, the DSOs need to incorporate new grid technology into their scope of work.

dLab is a company working in the forefront of data analytics and electrical engineering, offering a solution to monitor and analyze incidents in the grid. dLab’s dInsight Analytics Platform enables DSOs to take small incremental and measurable steps towards a more effective, resilient, and reliable grid through a deeper understanding and a more data-driven organization. The aim is to build the new smart grid through data analytics, a view that seems to be supported by the indicators Ei proposes.

Out of the 13 possible indicators that Ei regards as relevant for measuring and evaluating smart grid development, dLab contributes to at least eight of them. Mostly in regard to indicators focusing on monitoring, control, and automation. Among the indicators dLab matches are security of supply, transmission loss, load factor, utilization factor, and level of automation in the substations.

– To be able to meet the majority of Ei’s proposed indicators for a smart grid with our solution is truly satisfying. It is a confirmation that we are on the right track. It seems that the market is ready, and we are definitely ready, says Erik Severin.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

Regional utilities company Karlskoga Energi & Miljö AB has been using the smart data analytics solution from cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) since 2020. A useful solution for avoiding power outages and identifying faults, dLab’s system is the starting point for the energy company’s digitalization journey.

Energy company Karlskoga Energi & Miljö with its subsidiary Karlskoga Elnät has around 15 000 customers along a 1 700 km grid in the middle of the beautiful region of Värmland. Digitalization is a high priority throughout the organization, whether it means providing fiber optics for consumers, or the dInsight Analytics Platform from dLab.

-The solution from dLab pushes us to work in a completely new way; from monitoring and analysis to becoming proactive, using data to prevent, rather than fix a problem. This requires new knowledge in the organization, but also a new way of working, says Jimmy Lundberg, Head of Distribution at Karlskoga Elnät.

The company chose dLab’s system in 2020, and could immediately benefit from its installation, sorting out a tricky problem in one of the substations, where the normal systems were not able to identify the faults. Applying dLab’s solution made it easy to identify not only a faulty line, but also the underlying issue – some badly adjusted relay protection gear.

As more power electronics and sensitive equipment are connected to the grid, and intermittent power production from wind and solar panels or micro production is added, the power grid is put under strain. And reliable power quality becomes an issue, due to fluctuating power flows and harmonics. Karlskoga Elnät has seen a strain on the grid in the rush of many solar panel installations:

– Karlskoga has had a surge of solar panel installments, and today approximately 7 new PV systems are connected to the grid each week. These have a major impact on the grid; it is not built to have electricity fed into it through the “back door” so to speak, says Jimmy Lundberg.

– We understand there is a multitude of challenges in the power sector, not least the energy transition to a more sustainable society. A transition we aspire to support through our platform. Therefore, it is inspiring and instructive to work with Karlskoga Energi & Miljö having the ambition to use our holistic approach, where we also see the instant benefits, says Henrik Winberg, COO at dLab.

In dLab’s system voltage variations and current flow can be monitored, delivering an overall view of the power load in the grid. From that, grid planning operations can decide on new connections adding load or production in an area, or other measures, if needed.

– If truth be told, we have only just begun exploring all the possibilities dLab’s solution can deliver for us. The digitalization of the grid is only in the making, we have an exciting journey ahead of us, says Jimmy Lundberg.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

Cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) releases smaller, but significant improvements to the data analytics platform dInsight. By focusing on the divergences and patterns in trends over time and not just incident data, the user can faster form an impression of the grids’ condition.

Visualizing incidents over time is one of the main features of dLab’s data analytics platform dInsight. A powerful visual tool for grid analytics, dInsight is set up to support the decision-making processes in grid operations. The new update allows the user to see patterns and divergences over specific periods of time and thus get a sense of the incidents’ occurrence in a quick and easy way. Using a calendar-view to present episodes is a natural way to interpret events.

– By continuously improving the dashboards in dInsight, dLab is sharpening the tool for grid condition assessment, giving its users valuable and easy-to-read information in a familiar setting. Perceiving patterns and differences are innate qualities for humans, so it was really a matter of increasing the user-friendliness through natural behavior, says Fredrik Akke, CTO at dLab.

Apart from general improvements and cosmetic touch-ups, the update includes the following:

• New time series bar chart for incidents over time. Accumulated incidents over time have been visualized before, but this graph allows for a higher level of detail, showing individual incidents over time.
• Added event list next to the new bar chart with further details of each incident. For each incident, this list indicates the category of incident, operate delay time of function timer, as well as which feeder was affected.
• The information on the directional earth fault dashboard is now showing registered values for high ohmic earth faults as well.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.

Cleantech company Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) has developed a generic component to its grid analytics platform, called dXport. Making data export and systems integration easy, dXport opens up the possibilities of adding an extra, data driven edge to grid operations. It has today successfully been applied to a NIS-system.

Integrating different systems and tools are time efficient investments, making operations run more smoothly for companies of all kinds. It has become a fundamental part of our day-to-day activities, even in simple daily tasks, as our society has become more and more digital. Systems integration has over the last few years become increasingly important, and in technically complex operations, data export and integration are vital parts.

– Although our focus, to date, has been in developing an independent solution, adding the possibility to share our high qualitative analytics to other systems is key to us. And when the opportunity came to develop an integration with a NIS-system, we created a module that is versatile and can be adapted to other systems as well. All in line with supporting our customers in providing a better experience to their customers, says Henrik Winberg, COO at dLab.

The integration of dLab’s system with NIS resulted in an easy-to-use solution that can pin down a fault in the grid with a very high accuracy. Exporting and integrating dLab’s data with other systems will add big data, improving the accuracy in that system. Data analytics from dLab can thus be used to improve grid operations in a wide range of areas.

About Dlaboratory Sweden AB

Dlaboratory Sweden AB (publ) is a Swedish cleantech company offering a digital platform for gathering, analyzing, and presenting condition data for managing the future power grid. Our solutions enable proactive maintenance work, an increased security of supply, and fewer power outages. We are a commercial company since 2015 and the shares are listed at Nasdaq First North GM (DLAB) since April 2021.