GE Vernova expands grid-connectivity tech push with Greenbird purchase
In hopes of scaling grid connectivity technologies, GE Vernova’s digital business has purchased Oslo, Norway-based Greenbird Integration Technology, a data integration platform for utility companies. The goal – develop and expand GridOS, GE’s software portfolio that it hopes will enable complex grid orchestration functions.
“Utilities have an urgent need to connect data from multiple sources to gain visibility and effectively automate their grid operations. Fragmented data is a major obstacle to modernizing the grid and is holding the energy transition back,” said Scott Reese, CEO of GE Vernova’s digital business. “The Greenbird acquisition brings the proven ability to connect multiple data sources and accelerates our vision for GridOS that is making energy security a reality for many of the world’s leading utilities.”
He added that the Greenbird acquisition will eliminate data silos to make it faster and easier to connect and aggregate energy data, reducing the time and expense of data integration projects.
“We started in 2010 with a mission to simplify data integration for utilities, helping them leverage data to run smarter, more efficient analytics-driven services to accelerate the energy transition,” said Thorsten Heller, CEO of Greenbird Integration Technology. “Our technology platform is purpose-built to support a distributed data and IT architecture and aligns perfectly with GE Vernova’s vision for the GridOS.”
Apple TV+ executive to join Ford
Apple veteran Peter Stern, a driver behind the computer maker’s television programming efforts, will lead Ford’s newly formed Ford Integrated Services, a suite of software-enabled customer experiences across Ford traditional cars, electric vehicles and commercial trucks.
Stern served as vice president of Services at Apple for more than six years through January 2023. At Ford, he will expand the automaker’s Ford Pro Intelligence business sold in conjunction with commercial vehicles, come up with new services and lead marketing efforts on the new products.
“This is transformational, because the cornerstone of our Ford+ plan is creating incredible customer services and experiences enabled by great hardware and software,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said.
Stern said, “I love creating new services businesses and this is the perfect chance to do just that. The auto industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, from gas engines to electric vehicles and from human to autonomous driving.”
