Accenture (NYSE:ACN) has been selected by Statnett, Norway’s transmission system operator, to develop, maintain and operate a central data hub designed to simplify the country’s electricity market by improving cost and process efficiency, as well as transparency of customer data.

To better support Norwa y’s transition to smart meters by 2019, Statnett requires a centralised and flexible solution that can seamlessly connect network operators with retailers and facilitate the creation of new products and services. Statnett also seeks to simplify the supplier switching process for customers, provide customers with more transparency on data use, and boost competition in the market.

“The central data hub will be a critical part of Norway’s electricity infrastructure and will significantly improve and simplify the market processes so that customers can benefit from a more efficient and transparent system,” said Tor Bjarne Heiberg, project director from Statnett. “We selected Accenture to manage this implementation based on its experience in applying digital technologies through complex system integrations and the combination of its strong local presence and alliances with leading vendors.”

Accenture will design a fully digital and automated solution with inherent flexibility to accommodate future changes. Accenture will implement Siemens EnergyIP grid application platform to enable seamless meter data management and market transaction management, Oracle Service Oriented Architecture Suite to manage the orchestration of business and market processes, Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite (BIFS) to enable more robust and simplified reporting, and Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud to manage large data volumes.

Stephanie Jamison, managing director of Accenture Smart Grid Services in Europe, Africa and Latin America, said, “This solution will position Statnett and the Norwegian electricity sector at the forefront of digital innovation in the utilities industry, eliminating manual processes, enabling better decision making based on real-time data analytics and opening the door for more competition.”

To deliver the project, Accenture will work with local partners, eSmart Systems and Basefarm, as well as with OMNETRIC Group, the Siemens Accenture joint venture dedicated to the utilities sector. The central data hub will be in operation by February 2017.

Maikel van Verseveld, chief executive officer of OMNETRIC Group, said, “Helping utilities better understand and use their operations data through effective integration with their IT systems is at the heart of what we do. Combining deep knowledge and experience of the Siemens EnergyIP platform, we will enable a timely delivery and smooth transition for Statnett to the new digital solution.”

About Statnett

Statnett is the system operator in the Norwegian energy system. This means operating about 11 000km of high-voltage power lines and 150 stations all over Norway. Operations are monitored by one national control centre and three regional centres. Statnett is also responsible for the connections to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Denmark and the Netherlands.Statnett is a state enterprise, established under the Act relating to state-owned enterprises and owned by the Norwegian state through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 323,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$30.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2014. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About OMNETRIC Group

OMNETRIC Group is dedicated to the global delivery of integrated information technology and operational technology solutions and services, helping utility companies to achieve greater grid reliability and efficiency. OMNETRIC Group is a joint venture between Siemens AG and Accenture.

Combining Siemens’ leading energy technology product portfolio with Accenture’s systems integration, consulting and managed services capabilities, OMNETRIC Group can support clients with innovative solutions wherever they may be on their path to a smarter grid. For more information, visit www.omnetricgroup.com.