The Provincial Council of Bizkaia and Iberdrola España renew their partnership in the Smart Grids Innovation Hub
- The Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub (GSGIH), located in Bilbao, has established itself as a global centre of excellence in smart grids innovation and knowledge: since its creation five years ago, innovative activity at Iberdrola's distribution company i-DE has grown by 55%, reaching over €40M per year
- Opened in 2021, the hub run by Iberdrola España and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia acts as a tech driver with more than 120 collaborating organisations and companies
- At the end of 2023, the 'Product developed at the GSG Innovation Hub' certification was created in partnership with AENOR to recognise equipment or data products developed within the hub and effectively implemented as grid solutions
The Provincial Council of Bizkaia (DFB/BFA) and Iberdrola España have renewed their partnership agreement for the development of the Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub (GSGIH) as a sign of their mutual commitment to innovation and the digitalisation of electricity grids. GSGIH is a collaborative working environment, located in Bilbao and inaugurated in 2021, which connects both parties with suppliers, start-ups, tech centres and universities, with the aim of using innovation as a lever to continue driving the economy’s electrification and the quality of service to customers connected to the grids, through solutions that strengthen their robustness, resilience, flexibility and safety.
Since the hub was created five years ago, innovative activity at i-DE, Iberdrola España's distribution company, has grown by 55% from the previous period, reaching over €40M per year, contributing to the region’s competitiveness by driving the value chain and Iberdrola's position as the world's leading utility in terms of R&D&I investment. Since its creation, the hub has received more than 8,500 visits, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the grids, understand their relevance in the electrification of the economy and confirm the positive effect of public–private partnership.
At the end of 2023, the 'Product developed at the GSG Innovation Hub' certification was created in partnership with AENOR as a way of recognising equipment or data products developed within the hub and effectively implemented as grid solutions. Today, there are 13 products on the market recognised with this seal, over 18 manufacturers. The hub expects to end 2026 with 20 certified products developed in partnership with suppliers, many of them in Bizkaia. The ENLIT fair held in Bizkaia last November was a perfect showcase for the hub's partners to display their seal to the international electricity sector.
The renewal of the agreement between Iberdrola España and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia demonstrates both parties' commitment to technology as a lever for the economy’s electrification, industrial competitiveness and the creation of quality jobs through innovation focused on the design of equipment, data products, systems and telecommunications networks that will enable the distribution grid's capacity to multiply to respond to growing demand. It also aims to continue integrating renewable energies and creating a more secure, reliable and resilient grid capable of meeting the challenges of climate change and cybersecurity.
Training professionals with Smart Grids Academy (SGA)
One of the most significant outcomes of the partnership between the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and Iberdrola España has been the creation of the Smart Grids Academy (SGA). This is a pioneering initiative within the ‘Bizkaia with the Talent’ strategy to train active professionals from across Spain in the energy sector and smart grid suppliers, providing continuous training focused on technological specialisation.
Promoted by the GAIA Cluster, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and i-DE Smart Grids (Iberdrola España), SGA seeks to consolidate Bizkaia as a leading hub for innovation and training in smart grids.
There are four skill pathways to train professionals in the technological challenges of smart grids in the areas of: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart industry and smart grids. These training courses are aimed at professionals in the energy sector and smart grid suppliers and are available throughout the country, with plans to internationalise the project in the future.
The training plans have been designed with the participation of more than 20 companies and organisations linked to the energy sector, which have contributed their experience when designing and validating the content. That means the courses, which start in January 2026, have been tested in the professional field, ensuring that the knowledge acquired is relevant and applicable.
Offered online with face-to-face lab sessions at Iberdrola España's Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub in Bilbao, the training courses can be taken in their entirety or in individual modules, allowing professionals to tailor the training to their specific needs. At the end of the course, participants will receive an official Smart Grids Academy certification.
The four itineraries designed each last approximately 240 hours. In addition to the organisations promoting SGA, organisations such as Tecnalia, Ikerlan, Arteche, ZIV, Ingeteam, RDT Axia Learning, All About Data/Innova, the University of the Basque Country (EHU), the University of Deusto, the University of Alcalá and the University of Comillas have actively collaborated in its design.
You may also be interested in smart grids:
