Azienda Elettrica di Massagno (AEM) is a small, but highly innovative utility located in the southern part of Switzerland. It supplies power to roughly 10,000 end users in Massagno, Capriasca and Isone, managing a low/medium voltage grid and a substation connected with the high tension grid. A 4 MW capacity hydro power plant allows AEM to generate additional power from renewable sources and better balance the grid.

Leveraging Paradox Engineering’s network platform, back in 2017 AEM developed a Smart Grid to connect smart meters and start collecting data from energy-consuming field devices, while enabling remote control. Data are transported via the Wireless IoT and Wireless Highspeed IoT network to a central management unit, where an AI-based algorithm performs advanced analysis over power consumption and load profiles, and provides forecasts about energy demand in the following 24 hours together with recommended actions for adequate grid balance.

“Our customers and stakeholders trust AEM as long as we grant continuity of service and stability of power supply. Smart technologies are supporting us in looking after the efficiency and quality of our business,“ says Paolo Rossi, director at AEM.

Moreover, AEM leveraged Paradox Engineering’s technology to enable a Smart Dynamic Lighting application along Tesserete‐Canobbio bike trail. About 3 Km. long, the cycle path goes through a wood, so environmental and wildlife footprint, as well as people safety, were carefully considered when upgrading the existing 60 LED luminaires.

AEM favored the solution with the lowest possible impact on animals, the highest possible energy efficiency and quality of service. Every lamp is now interfaced with a motion sensor, so lights are automatically switched on and dimmed at 100% only when cyclists or pedestrians pass by. The application is managed and remotely controlled through the Smart CMS software platform.

Thanks to this solution, AEM succeeded in reducing annual operating hours along the bike trail from 4,300 to 600, with 86% savings. Overall power consumption dropped from 68.8 kWh to 9.6 kWh per year, and average costs decreased from 11.19 CHF to 1.56 CHF per light point.