Belgian railway network operator Infrabel is launching Impulse Belgium, a start-up laboratory, according to the business newspaper De Tijd. Through this internal innovation unit, Infrabel aims to focus on projects that enhance the network’s efficiency and safety. Two projects are being put forward: opening their electricity grid to third parties and using AI for railway maintenance.
After Elia, Infrabel operates Belgium’s largest electricity grid, covering 3,600 km of high-voltage lines. As part of its new 5shift strategy (2024-2032) and innovation initiatives, there is a specific and ambitious plan to make this network more ‘open’ to third parties.
In other words, Infrabel no longer wants to be just a consumer, but also an active player in the energy transition. Because Elia’s network is fully loaded in many places and Infrabel often still has capacity on its lines, it wants to use this capacity to transport surplus green electricity from third parties, such as neighboring wind farms or solar parks, to other companies further along the line.
‘Bidirectional’ stations along the railway line
In the port of Antwerp-Bruges, for example, electricity demand is enormous. If Infrabel succeeds in using its local network as a buffer or transport channel, port companies could become more sustainable more quickly without having to wait for a new connection from Fluvius or Elia.
With Impulse Belgium, Infrabel wants to set up specific challenges for tech companies that convert traction stations along the railway into ‘bidirectional’ stations, so that electricity no longer flows in one direction only, namely to the train, but can also be fed back into the grid or local battery parks.
Another related challenge is developing software platforms that automatically handle billing between Infrabel and external parties when they exchange power via the rail network.
Use of AI for greater security
Another priority for Infrabel’s Incubator is leveraging AI to monitor the railway network. The railway operator wants to switch from “maintenance when something breaks” to “predictive maintenance.”
For example, Infrabel has begun deploying smart AI cameras at 70 critical level crossings and in tunnels. As soon as the AI detects a dangerous situation or a person in a tunnel, it automatically sends an alarm to the signal box. This allows train traffic to be stopped immediately, before an accident occurs.
Infrabel also uses LiDAR (laser scanning) to map the entire rail network in 3D. AI algorithms analyze these 3D scans to identify where trees or bushes are encroaching on head lines, enabling the team to address the issue.
High-speed cameras and sensors
Additionally, the company is also using special measurement trains equipped with high-speed cameras and sensors. These take photos of the switches and rails. AI software compares these images with historical ‘perfect’ images to detect hairline cracks or wear that are still invisible to the human eye.
Interest in Impulse Belgium is already high. According to De Tijd, more than 100 people attended yesterday’s launch, including representatives of energy network operators and research centers, as well as university officials.
