Romania’s electricity transmission system operator Transelectrica signed a strategic partnership with the Polytechnic University of Bucharest (UPB) to establish and operate the first integrated digital laboratory in Romania, DigiTEL, whose aim to test future technologies in the energy field.
Over the next 10 years, DigiTEL will function as a testing and validation environment for the integrated concepts used in the development of the pilot project of the first digital substation in Romania.
“Globally, the energy sector is in a stage of a rapidly advancing transition,” said Catalin Nitu, Chairman of the Board of Transelectrica. “Therefore, we believe that the only way to meet this challenge in the long term is to join forces and strengthen the partnership between the real economy and academia. We are delighted with the openness we have from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, not only in terms of this pioneering project, DigiTEL, but also other initiatives that we have implemented or are implementing in partnership. Transelectrica aims to remain a leader in promoting new technologies and this is possible through a mix of operational excellence, professional excellence and strong partnerships with academia and technology leaders. With this objective, we have embarked on the path of digitalisation with a clear and ambitious vision of the future and the Alba Iulia Digital Station is the central pillar of the transition to smart grids ”.
The Polytechnic University of Bucharest will provide the necessary space for the laboratory while Transelectrica will ensure its endowment with the equipment, systems and technologies necessary for the testing infrastructure, as well as the transfer of know-how acquired through operational activity.
“In recent years, digital transformation has become one of the priorities of our community,” added Mihnea Costoiu, rector of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest. “Whether we are talking about the digitalisation of the administration or the services, Romania needs the support of the largest community of engineers in the country, that of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest. In the project we are developing together with our partner Transelectrica, we tried to look to the future. We will develop a Digital Technology Laboratory for Power Stations to help students become familiar with the technologies they will use in the near future. Basically, through the project, we create infrastructure to help train specialists in digital technologies for the energy field.”
