Innovation and Sustainability in 2025 at APG

In a sector navigating the tension between affordability, environmental responsibility, and security of supply, ongoing development is essential to creating future-proof solutions and driving the energy transition. 

Research and innovation projects help to find answers and bring about the necessary change in this challenging context, while ensuring that supply security, cost efficiency, and direct added value for grid customers remain at the forefront. New technologies can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance system flexibility—an indispensable factor for maintaining a stable supply.

Digitalization and artificial intelligence are key drivers in addressing these challenges. From predictive maintenance to optimized grid operation, they make crucial contributions to supply security and the sustainable transformation of the energy system.

Wind Measurement via Fiber-Optic Cables

As part of a pilot project conducted with Graz University of Technology (Institute of Engineering Geodesy and Measurement Systems), APG explored the suitability of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for measuring wind conditions in overhead earth wires (ground conductors) of high-voltage cables.

The accurate measurement of wind parameters in individual segments along overhead lines would mark a major step forward in the weather-dependent operation of such lines, enabling APG to utilize higher transmission capacities under favorable conditions.

Initial results show a very high accuracy in wind-speed measurement using DAS.

Project InSAR – Satellite Technology Enhancing the Security of Supply

Creeping landslides pose a serious risk for grid operators: they often go undetected for long periods yet can significantly impact pylons and transmission lines. With the innovative InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology, APG now uses highly precise radar data from satellites to detect even millimeter-scale ground movements at an early stage and monitor changes over time.

In a pilot project, several power lines were already analyzed using InSAR, and the results were successfully validated through conventional measurements. Preparations are now underway for a comprehensive rollout across the entire transmission grid, including substations—an important step toward further strengthening supply security. The project also significantly reduces time and costs compared to traditional inspection and terrestrial measurement methods.

TwinEU – A Europe-Wide Digital Twin of the Electricity Grid

TwinEU is a groundbreaking Horizon Europe initiative aimed at transforming the European energy landscape by advancing digitalization across the entire energy system.

A core component of the project is the implementation of eight large-scale demonstrations across eleven EU countries. These will showcase practical applications and the real-world benefits of the innovations developed under TwinEU.

Forest Fire Prevention – Mitigating Risks to Security of Supply

To address the growing risk of forest fires in Austria, APG has partnered with BOKU to develop comprehensive forest-fire hazard maps. These maps support the highest levels of supply security by enabling early identification and assessment of potential risks.

The project strengthens the resilience of the electricity grid and helps minimize costs during hazard events by providing essential insights for proactive risk management.

INSIEME – Common European Energy Data Spaces: A central digital infrastructure to support the energy transition

INSIEME (Italian for “together”) aims to establish a Common European Energy Data Space (CEEDS) to support data exchange, interoperability, and innovation in the energy sector. Building on earlier initiatives such as the Energy Data Space Cluster Projects, INSIEME will create a federated architecture that connects existing data-exchange platforms across Europe. Key goals include developing standardized data formats, security protocols, governance frameworks, and business models to ensure secure and trustworthy data exchange between utilities, market participants, energy communities, and consumers.

APG again among Austria’s Most Innovative Companies in 2025

For 2025, Trend magazine—together with the German market research institute STATISTA—once again identified Austria’s 150 most innovative companies and start-ups. The ranking was determined by a complex procedure involving around 40,000 evaluations from multiple surveys assessing the innovative performance of Austrian enterprises. From a large number of companies, the 150 most innovative companies were determined and published in the current issue of Trend Magazine.

Austrian Power Grid achieved 67th place overall and ranked 3rd in the “Energy” category.
 

Further Information

• Project TwinEU 
• Forest fire prevention
• Project INSIEME 
• APG is once again in the ranking of the most innovative companies in 2025 
• Overview of innovation projects at APG 
• APG topic folder "AI in the power grid"
• APG-Themenfolder "Naturgewalt und Stromnetz" 

About Austrian Power Grid (APG)

As independent transmission system operator Austrian Power Grid (APG) is in charge of ensuring the security of the electricity supply in Austria. With our high-performance and digital electricity infrastructure and the use of state-of-the-art technologies we integrate renewable energies and reduce the dependency on electricity imports, we are the platform for the electricity market, and we provide access to reasonably priced electricity and thus create the basis for Austria as supply-secure and future-oriented industrial and business location and place to live. The APG grid totals a length of about 3,500 km and is operated, maintained, and continuously adapted to the increasing challenges of the electrification of businesses, industry, and society by a team of approximately 1,000 specialists. 67 substations are distributed all over Austria and the majority is operated remotely. Thanks to our committed employees Austria had a security of supply of 99.99 percent also in 2024 and thus ranks among the top countries worldwide. Our investments of 630 million euros in 2025 (2024: 440 million euros, 2023: 490 million euros) are a motor for the Austrian economy and a crucial factor in reaching Austria’s climate and energy targets. Until 2034 APG will invest a total of approximately 9 billion euros in grid expansion and renovation projects.