Integrated Data Management & Production Planning at EWN

Elektrizitätswerk Nidwalden (EWN) brings decades of experience in renewable energy, operating eight hydropower plants with a combined output of 45 MW. Supported by four reservoirs totaling 2.75 million m³ of storage, EWN plays a key role in Switzerland’s sustainable energy landscape. The production team consists of nine planners and one market specialist, working together to manage water resources and optimize energy production.
This case study explores how EWN successfully simplified their digital landscape and automated repetitive processes with HYDROGRID, transforming daily operations and improving efficiency. Here's the results at a glance:

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Before HYDROGRID

Before adopting HYDROGRID, market bid creation depended heavily on Excel tools, making the process repetitive and time-consuming. Data aggregation and transfer were complex and prone to human error, with workflows relying on individual team members to keep everything running. The lack of centralized visibility meant the teams had to actively sync. This slowed down decision-making, making it difficult to respond quickly to market changes.

After Implementing HYDROGRID

With HYDROGRID in place, data transfer between SCADA, EDM, third-party systems, and HYDROGRID became fully automated, eliminating manual steps. Production planning and inflow calculations were also automated, significantly reducing the team’s workload. A shared, real-time dashboard replaced Excel files, enabling overrides and collaboration across the entire team. This centralized view also enhanced understanding of inflow catchment areas and patterns, leading to more accurate forecasting and better resource management.

Impact

The implementation resulted in the full phase-out of manual Excel-based bid creation. Automated data flows reduced human error and improved reliability, while real-time visibility accelerated decision-making and ensured market readiness. Knowledge transfer between teams and external stakeholders became smoother, creating a more resilient and collaborative operational environment.

Conclusion

By integrating HYDROGRID’s hydropower optimization solutions, EWN is not only streamlining today’s processes but also securing a future-proof foundation for continued innovation and resilience in an evolving energy market. Digitalization enables seamless data integration and reduces operational risk. A shared platform fosters collaboration and removes personal dependencies, while real-time dashboards accelerate planning and reporting, ensuring teams are always prepared for market demands.

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