Romania is getting its first digital lab

Transelectrica and University Politehnica of Bucharest join forces to fuel the digital transformation

The National Company for Energy Transport Transelectrica and the University Politehnica of Bucharest (UPB) have signed a partnership on 10 June 2021 to establish DigiTEL - the first integrated digital lab in Romania. The lab will be established in Alba Iulia Station, where the joint venture will set up equipment and mounted systems. The aim is to test out new technologies in the field of energy. The project is set to begin this year and should be finalised by the year 2024.

Alba Iulia Station will become a digital incubator

The pilot project concerns the retrofitting of Alba Iulia Station and converting it to a “digital station”. This will help DigiTEL test and implement new technologies and standards, setting them up as the leader of the digital transformation of the energy sector in Romania.

The digital station will spearhead Transelectrica’s strategic initiative in the area, focusing heavily on innovation and research. Catalin Nitu, the chairman of Transelectrica declared that the whole energy sector is in a transitional stage and it is moving quickly. This is why the only way forward is to consolidate their partnership with the UPB.

A 3-5 million euro investment in the laboratory  

Mihnea Costoiu, the rector of the UBP, explained that digital transformation is one of the priorities of the engineering communities and that they are ready to step up to the challenge.

The partnership prioritises testing and setting up equipment within the laboratory, that will be used in training and certification sessions. The idea is to capitalise the laboratory’s capabilities to develop new talent as well as UPB’s special staff, responsible for the Electric Transport Network.

Transelectrica, on the other hand, will have the chance to test out next-gen systems and equipment in a safe environment. The tight learning partnership between UPB and Transelectrica will lead to a smoother roll-out and the adoption of new technologies.