Hitachi Energy has entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate the adoption of cloud-based technologies by utility and energy-intensive companies, with a view to advancing the global energy transition.
The agreement’s initial focus is the deployment of Hitachi Vegetation Manager, an AI-powered system designed to reduce power outages caused by vegetation encroaching on infrastructure. Hosted on AWS, the solution uses artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and real-time weather data to predict and manage vegetation-related risks before they impact critical services.
Vegetation interference remains a leading cause of power outages, particularly in the United States, where it accounts for over 20% of disruptions according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Hitachi’s system aims to reduce such incidents, improve service reliability, and lower maintenance costs for electricity and rail operators.
Massimo Danieli, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Automation unit, said the move reflects a broader shift in the company’s strategy. “Our role goes beyond building grid infrastructure. With AWS, we are extending digital solutions like Hitachi Vegetation Manager to help operators maintain peak performance amid the growing complexity of modern grids.”
The collaboration builds on previous joint efforts between the two firms. Notably, Hitachi Energy and AWS recently partnered to deliver a cloud-based network management platform for Conduit Power, reducing deployment time from 18 months to just six.
Howard Gefen, AWS’s General Manager for Energy and Utilities, noted, “This agreement further demonstrates how the cloud can help scale, evolve, and bring meaningful innovation to the energy sector.”
The agreement also sets out a framework for future delivery of additional digital tools, including asset and workforce management systems, through the AWS Marketplace. These offerings are expected to provide utility operators with improved predictive analytics and streamlined operational decision-making.
The partnership underscores Hitachi Energy’s commitment to supporting the digital transformation of the power sector and integrating more renewable energy sources into the grid while maintaining resilience and reliability on a global scale.
