As electricity markets evolve at an increasingly rapid pace, decision-making needs to keep up. Fingrid set out to build a modern data platform that would go beyond a technology upgrade to deliver tangible business value.
Working with CGI, Fingrid built a scalable data platform that enables near-real-time use of data, advanced analytics and the development of new services across the organization.
The benefits were realized quickly. Data teams can work more efficiently, new analytics solutions can be developed faster, and Fingrid now has a scalable foundation to support its future data, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) needs.
Turning data into a strategic asset for the energy transition
Fingrid is Finland’s transmission system operator, responsible for the country’s main electricity transmission grid and the reliable operation of its power system. It also plays a central role in Finland’s energy transition, where data is becoming increasingly important.
Fingrid actively makes data available to the market and wider society, helping enable new services and innovation while supporting more transparent electricity markets.
As data volumes and analytics requirements increased, Fingrid’s existing environment was reaching its limits. Its on-premises data warehouse was approaching the end of its lifecycle. Maintenance was costly, implementing changes was slow, and developing new analytics solutions was becoming increasingly challenging.
“We needed a modern data platform that could scale with our changing business and enable us to use data more effectively across the organization.”
Kari Suominen, Senior Vice-President, Fingrid
Fingrid wanted to move to an architecture that would support more real-time use of data, provide efficient scalability and enable different business areas to develop independently on a common platform. Importantly, the new environment needed to deliver tangible value from the outset.
Delivering value from the first pilot
Fingrid selected CGI to help design and implement a modern lakehouse solution combining the governance capabilities of a traditional data warehouse with the flexibility of a data lake.
A key consideration was creating an approach that could support both Fingrid’s current analytics requirements and new use cases in the future. CGI worked with Fingrid to identify an architecture that combines scalability and cost efficiency with greater agility for developing new capabilities.
The collaboration began with a pilot that quickly demonstrated the potential of the new approach. Following its success, the initiative expanded into production and the continuous development of the platform.
From the outset, CGI’s role extended beyond technical implementation. The partnership helped Fingrid establish an overall architecture and operating model designed to support its long-term business objectives.
“We were able to move quickly from an idea to practical implementation. CGI’s strong expertise in designing and implementing modern data platforms helped us build a solution that supports both our current and future needs.”
Teemu Hiekka, Owner, Data and Analytics Services, Fingrid
Bringing data closer to the business with Data Mesh
One of Fingrid’s priorities was enabling multiple business areas and data teams to work effectively in parallel.
The solution uses a modern Data Mesh approach, enabling different business areas to manage their own data products while operating on a common platform. Teams can develop their own data products independently while maintaining appropriate governance across the organization.
The benefits became apparent quickly:
- Faster development without centralized bottlenecks
- Improved data quality and ownership
- Greater autonomy for teams developing new solutions
- Increased ability to scale analytics across the organization
“The Data Mesh model helps us develop new solutions efficiently while maintaining control of the overall environment.”
Teemu Hiekka, Fingrid
CGI also helped Fingrid establish an operating model in which technology, governance and ways of working support one another.
Near-real-time data opens new possibilities for analytics
With its modern cloud-based platform, Fingrid can use data in near real time. This is particularly important in electricity markets, where conditions can change rapidly and decisions need to be based on timely, reliable information.
The cloud-based platform also provides operational and cost benefits while giving analysts and data scientists a more agile environment for developing analytics and machine learning models.
Key benefits include:
- Capacity that can scale according to demand
- Less infrastructure to maintain
- Faster deployment of new solutions
- More cost-effective development
Building a foundation for the future energy system
The data platform developed by Fingrid and CGI provides a foundation for future analytics, automation and AI capabilities. It also supports Fingrid’s ambition to contribute to more open and efficient electricity markets. By making data available externally, Fingrid can also help market participants, service providers and developers create new solutions that benefit the wider energy ecosystem.
“A modern data platform is not simply a technology project. It is an enabler for how we develop our operations and respond to the future demands of the energy transition.”
Miika Määttä, Head of ICT Solution Services, Fingrid
The collaboration between Fingrid and CGI demonstrates how combining modern technology, an understanding of business requirements and a strategic partnership can turn data into a foundation for long-term value.
When the right data is available to the right people at the right time, it creates the foundation for a more efficient technology environment and a more resilient, intelligent and sustainable energy future.
