
GRIDHOUND
Gridhound is a start-up / spin-off of the RWTH-Aachen and the E.ON Energy Research Center. We offer a solution for an innovative and cost-effective monitoring of power distribution grids.
With the machine-learning approach to monitor and estimate the status of the medium and low voltage grid in real time, Gridhound actively accelerates the energy transition and enables distribution system operators to proactively avoid problems and optimize grid operation.
Distribution network operators worldwide are facing the challenges of integrating an increasing number of renewable energies while at the same time the consumption also changes, e.g. by the increasing electrification of transport and heating/cooling – never risking network stability.
As a team, we target this challenge by combining the know-how and agile approach from software development with the development of energy systems.
Observability in Distribution Grids
Full network transparency at the lowest cost

Monitoring –
Measuring instead of simulation
A digital network model and relatively few measurement points are all that the artificial intelligence of Gridhound needs to provide an accurate and transparent real-time state estimation.
Compared to traditional methods, we also achieve precise results with much less hardware usage.
We can also determine the optimum points for installing measurement in the field so that the network can be operated efficiently and transparently at all times.

Optimal Placement
of Measurement Points
By combining the experience of our IT system and energy systems engineers, we are able to provide detailed analyzes and recommendations for action. Starting with a sensitivity analysis for optimum placement of the sensors up to recommendations for action in daily network operation based on the newly created network transparency.
Automation – “Active Distribution Management Systems”
With the vision of an Active Distribution Management System, Gridhound is well on its way to helping distribution system operators accelerate towards smart grids. A first step is the establishment of the necessary real-time grid transparency, followed by the evaluation and analysis of these results for relevant and meaningful action recommendations to help the power grids to acquire the necessary intelligence with a human-monitored automation.
Read more about our EU Projekt „ADMS“ .
Current Projects
Currently we validate and optimize our system in several international field tests.
Recommendation Johannes Larsen
Johannes Larsen
Senior Expert Renewable Energies at Bayernwerk
Head of Competence Team EEG/EnWG (legal affairs) at E.ON Competence Center
“The technical, regulatory and economic complexity of the energy industry in Germany has increased rapidly in recent years and is subject to a rapidly changing process of transformation. This makes it more and more challenging and exciting for all players and affected branches of industry in the energy industry to cope with the rapidly changing requirements and interactions in the energy industry.
As a network operator, I therefore focus on the topic of automation and digitization of networks and their systems, so that we can cope with the increasing demands of the energy turnaround from a technical and economic point of view tomorrow as well.
In this context, Gridhound provides a new and exciting approach to tackling the topic of network condition estimation”.
As Bavaria’s largest regional network operator, Bayernwerk Netz GmbH secures energy supplies in large parts of Bavaria. Around 2,700 employees at more than 20 locations are working on a secure supply and the energy system of tomorrow. The company already transports up to 60 percent of regenerative energy in the grid today.
ESB Networks, Ireland, is responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of all medium and low voltage grid infrastructure in the country. ESB ensures that electricity reaches the homes and businesses of 2.3 million electricity customers safely and efficiently, and has so far invested more than € 6 billion.
e-distribuzione (formerly Enel), Italy is a multi-national energy company active in the electricity and gas markets in Europe and Latin America. The Enel Group is present on four continents, with a net installed capacity of more than 89 GW of energy and distributes electricity and gas over a network of approximately 1.9 million kilometers.
PROJECTS & RESEARCH
We have been part of 3 EU Horizon 2020 Projects which we would like to introduce here:
SOGNO aims to develop a cost-effective automation solution for distribution system operators to fully monitor and control the infrastructure. The SOGNO system will be equipped with innovative sensors, data analysis techniques and 5G-based ICT solutions that support VNBs to operate in real-time and generate actionable insights for further planning.lt wird.
ADMS is a Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) project with the goal of bringing an operational product to market within 3 years. ADMS will support the 2,400 distribution system operators in Europe in the active management of renewable energy sources, and aims to increase renewables by 25%, while improving grid stability by 20% in line with regulations.
Consumers and utilities are increasingly using renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and biomass to reduce CO2 emissions. However, utilities are challenged to maintain a stable supply from these weather-dependent and highly diverse generation sources. The RESERVE project develops and tests new technologies that enable a stable supply of purely renewable resources.
A Spin-Off of the E.ON Energy Research Center at RWTH-Aachen
“Gridhound is a spin-off of RWTH Aachen University and is connected to my institute, the Institute for Automation of Complex Energy Systems. It brings new ideas into the world of grid automation with a special focus on distribution grids.
These are currently undergoing a major transformation and Gridhound is one of the few vendors developing solutions that really contribute to the core of this transformation. As a new player in this market, solutions are presented that are not influenced by old products or old visions.
Gridhound is very flexible in its development process so that an offer can be quickly adapted to different customers and needs. Network operators can be small or very large and require different solutions and products. Gridhound is able to meet these different needs with a family of unique and innovative solutions.
The market will grow very rapidly over the next few years and Gridhound is definitely a frontrunner in this field.”
Prof. Antonello Monti, Head of the Institute
OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
We cooperate with strong partners from research and industry, which share our vision of a cost-efficient and reliable operation of medium and low voltage distribution networks.
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Altea Power Monitoring Solutions is a young and innovative company specialized in the development of innovative sensors for voltage and current measurement in low, medium and high voltage networks.
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MAC’s core business are fully integrated, web-enabled wireless platform solutions. John O´Flaherty, Managing Director “Gridhound is an excellent and highly responsive company with innovative, state-of-the-art power grid monitoring, forecasting and control tools and services that help utilities increase efficiency and ROI.”
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Ericsson is the leading provider of Communication Technologies and Services seated in Stockholm, Sweden. Ericsson is pursuing a vision of a connected future which will enable everyone to reach their full potential. Robert Farac Senior System Designer, Cloud Infrastructure at Ericsson: “I am working in Ericsson and have been working with Gridhound for few years in several European research projects and common initiatives to deploy our ideas in utilities operations. As Gridhound is university start-up, it provides the edge technology solutions that are needed in the market. Gridhound has a number of contacts with the market through their trials and further activities with number of utilities. They are very open for the collaboration and gladly exchanging the ideas and opinions.”
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CRE is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization which represents the interests of the Romanian energy industry. Their main objective is to promote active engagements of Romanian public and private energy companies in European partnerships, European co-financed projects as well as the European decision making.
B.A.U.M. CONSULT GMBH | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – Università di Bologna |
Waterford Institute of Technology | Digital HUB Aachen | :agile accelerator powered by E.ON
News
Founders
CEO, CTO and founder Artur Löwen has more than 15 years of experience in software development, e.g. for database-based CAD applications (such as Helios3D) and 3D visualization, of which he has worked more than 7 years in the energy sector.
The idea for Gridhound originated during his work at the Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems at the E.ON Energy Research Center of RWTH Aachen University, when a European distribution network operator postulated the need for affordable capacity management for medium- and low-voltage grid monitoring. This input, coupled with the resulting implications for the future viability of the networks, led to the idea of transferring machine learning methods into network operation, thereby addressing the challenge of distribution system operators with an absolutely innovative approach.
Two years later, after intensive research, planning and a proof of concept in the form of a dissertation, Gridhound was launched.
Professor Antonello Monti is the head of Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems of the E.ON Energy Research Center at RWTH Aachen University.
For Gridhound he acts an idea provider, visionary and consultant/adviser and shares a deep connection with Gridhound.
Nicole Zeidler acquired extensive along with international expertise in the setup, marketing and successful sale of complex products and services in her previous employments in private companies and public services. Her skills in Business Development, Marketing and Sales form a valuable link between man and technology.
JOBS
Jobs
Interested in a new challenge in a competent team? We look forward to receiving your application. We are looking for (German description only):
Software-Architect f/m/d #Start-Up #EnergyTransition (Link PDF)
Software-Developer, Back-End f/m/d #Start-Up #EnergyTransition (Link PDF)
Student Assistant (f/m/d) in
– Power Systems
– Software-Development (German description only):
- Software-Developer, #AI #Start-Up #EnergyTransition f/m/d (Link PDF)
- Software-Developer #F&E #DevOps #Python f/m/d (Link PDF)
Unsolicited applications from anyone agreeing that the energy transition is taking place in distribution networks and that artificial intelligence is more than just a buzzword are welcome!
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Media
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