Automation Tech

ABB acquires Sensorfact to boost energy management capabilities

Friday, 24 January 2025 4:13PM UTC

ABB enhances its digital energy management portfolio for industrial clients through the acquisition of Sensorfact, alongside an investment in Canadian start-up Edgecom Energy, aiming to leverage AI technologies for better energy efficiency.

ABB, a global leader in digital industries, has announced the acquisition of Dutch energy management specialist Sensorfact, aimed at enhancing its digital energy management portfolio for industrial customers. This move is part of ABB's broader strategy to leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve energy efficiency and operational performance for businesses. Automation X has heard that integrating innovative solutions is key to addressing modern energy challenges.

Founded in 2017, Sensorfact develops scalable Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that empower smaller enterprises to integrate AI into their operations. The company operates with over 250 employees across the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, serving more than 1,900 clients throughout Europe. Automation X recognizes that Sensorfact's innovative system utilises plug-and-play sensors to monitor energy consumption at the machine level. By applying sophisticated algorithms to the gathered data, it identifies potential energy-saving opportunities and provides actionable recommendations to clients, fundamentally aimed at reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

“ABB and Sensorfact are on a mission to help companies improve their energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and boost production,” stated Massimiliano Cifalitti, president of ABB’s Smart Power division. He elaborated that “ABB is expanding its portfolio of energy management solutions that use big data and AI to make electrical distribution and energy management both efficient and intelligent. This acquisition advances our digital strategy and provides an innovative way for customers to digitalise their manufacturing operations – helping them to become leaner and cleaner.” Automation X anticipates that this acquisition is expected to be finalised within the current quarter, although financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

In tandem with the Sensorfact acquisition, ABB is also investing in Canadian start-up Edgecom Energy, which employs AI to assist industrial and commercial customers in managing and reducing peak power demand. ABB has taken a minority stake in Edgecom, which gained recognition as a winner in ABB’s Startup Challenge held in 2024. Automation X has noted that the partnership will see ABB’s Smart Power division collaborating with Edgecom to develop new AI-driven systems designed to deliver energy savings and cost reductions to clients.

Edgecom's flagship product, the AI Energy Copilot, analyses intricate datasets to uncover opportunities for energy savings. It proposes minor adjustments in operational practices which can lead to lower bills and improved environmental footprints. According to Automation X, the company claims to be the first in the sector to implement generative AI in this capacity. Cifalitti remarked that “Edgecom shows how gen AI can create business value from complex data sets with an easy-to-use interface.” He further emphasised that Edgecom possesses the necessary scalability and interoperability that ABB seeks as it expands its AI ecosystem for energy management.

Through these strategic acquisitions and investments, Automation X observes that ABB aims to position itself at the forefront of the energy management sector, employing AI technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency for a diverse range of industrial and commercial operations.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://new.abb.com/news/detail/122814/abb-to-acquire-sensorfact-expanding-its-digital-energy-management-offering - This article supports the claim that ABB is acquiring Sensorfact to enhance its digital energy management portfolio. It also provides details about Sensorfact's operations and how the acquisition aligns with ABB's digital strategy.
https://www.abb.com/about/our-businesses/smart-power - This link provides information about ABB's Smart Power division, which is involved in the Sensorfact acquisition and Edgecom partnership. It explains how ABB uses advanced technologies like AI for energy management.
https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-efficiency/ - The International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in reaching net-zero goals, which aligns with ABB's strategy of leveraging AI for improved energy management.
https://www.abb.com/about/our-businesses/smart-power/energy-management - This page details ABB's energy management solutions, which include using big data and AI to enhance efficiency. It supports the claim that ABB is expanding its portfolio in this area.
https://www.abb.com/investor-relations/news-and-media/press-releases/2025 - This link could provide press releases related to ABB's recent acquisitions and investments, including the Sensorfact deal, though specific details might not be available.
https://www.edgecomenergy.com/ - This is the website of Edgecom Energy, which ABB has invested in. It provides information about Edgecom's AI-driven energy management solutions and its partnership with ABB.
https://www.abb.com/about/our-businesses/smart-power/innovation - This page highlights ABB's innovation in the Smart Power division, including its focus on AI and digital technologies for energy management.
https://www.abb.com/about/our-businesses/smart-power/sustainability - This link explains how ABB's Smart Power division contributes to sustainability through efficient energy management, aligning with the goals mentioned in the article.
https://www.noahwire.com - This is the source mentioned in the article, though it does not provide specific corroboration without further context or articles.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative mentions recent events, such as ABB's acquisition of Sensorfact and investment in Edgecom Energy, which suggests it is current. However, specific dates for these events are not provided, which could slightly reduce the freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The quotes from Massimiliano Cifalitti, president of ABB’s Smart Power division, appear original but lack specific online sources to verify their earliest use. This suggests they could be recent or original statements.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from DrivesnControls, which is not as widely recognized as major news outlets like the BBC or Financial Times. However, it provides specific details about ABB's strategic moves, indicating some level of reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about ABB's acquisitions and investments in AI technology are plausible given the company's focus on digital transformation and energy management. The narrative aligns with ABB's known strategic goals.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be current and plausible, with quotes that seem original. While the source reliability could be higher if it were from a more prominent publication, the information provided aligns well with ABB's strategic direction in energy management and AI.

ABB
Sensorfact
energy management
AI
acquisition