Supporting Gas Grün GmbH's success in AI, marketing and prototyping using 3D printing

EDIH pro_digital is committed to the use of digital technologies to improve environmental sustainability and the inclusion of circularity in value chains and to facilitate the twin digital and green transformation.

Startups can facilitate the twin digital and green transformation, supporting the other stakeholders in the region. Being most often digital natives, startups make natural use of circular economic models and tools that are coupled with digital tools (innovation camps, hackathons, agile management, etc.), using naturally advanced digital solutions for addressing technical, environmental or societal challenges. Gas Grün has proved to be a very good example of illustrating the above mentioned points.

Gas Grün GmbH, is a leading startup in the business of providing innovative decentralized biogas plants, with the accommodation of the complete energy production system from biomass, in a container. Is situated in the region of Brandenburg, Germany, well within the geographical location and outreach of our EDIH.

It encountered a triple digital challenge that prompted our rationale to offer our EDIH’s services for Gas Grün to achieve its business goals:

1. First, it required an advanced AI control system to optimize the efficiency of its biogas plants with customized automation and monitoring solutions for the energy production from biomass.

2. In parallel, the need for 3D printing expertise emerged as Gas Grün aimed to visually communicate its technological advances as well as efficient prototyping for internal development. The challenge was to translate complex design specifications into accessible, visually compelling prototypes that would create high impact displays and connect with a wide range of stakeholders.

3. Additionally, the company recognized the need to increase its market visibility. A strategic marketing approach was essential to highlight their environmental impact and technological capabilities, targeting both industry stakeholders and potential customers.

In response to Gas Grün's complex challenges, our EDIH’s strategic engagement evolved into a series of targeted solutions. First, on June 30th, 2023, a T0 DMA measurement was conducted to better assess its digital maturity.

We have conducted 8 sessions, in total 10h of consultation within half a year timeframe, on the following topics: 

1. Using our extensive network, we carefully identified an experienced partner specializing in AI systems, that, equipped with a deep understanding of Gas Grün's unique requirements, was integrated into the project to create a customized AI control system. The aim was an innovative solution that not only optimized the efficiency of Gas Grün's biogas plants, but also laid the groundwork for enhanced automation and monitoring capabilities.

2. Our involvement also extended to 3D printing of critical components which visually represents Gas Grün's technological achievements exactly. We identified and worked with an expert in 3D printing technology at our consortium partner Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg. This expert played a key role in translating complex design specifications into real-life prototypes, facilitating both internal development and the creation of high-impact displays for industry events. EDIH pro_digital invested 1944.27€ for 3D-printing of the container prototype which took 192h (8 full days).

   

3. At the same time, recognizing the importance of increasing Gas Grün's market presence, we identified and connected them with experienced marketing partners. These were selected based on their expertise in the sustainable energy sector, ensuring a customized approach to showcasing Gas Grün's environmental impact and technological capabilities. Through targeted marketing initiatives, they are increasing the company's visibility and reaching key stakeholders and potential customers in line with its commitment to green innovation. The total investment in consulting hours from EDIH pro_digital is 840€.

Therefore, the implementation of the AI control system has led to a significant increase in the efficiency of Gas Grün's biogas plants. Operational processes have been optimized, allowing for improved automation and real-time monitoring by 20%. 

In addition, the use of 3D printing for prototyping has had a direct impact on the design and development process. Digital technologies enable the precise reproduction of complex designs, allowing rapid product development and cost-effective testing. This not only accelerated the product development cycle but also facilitated the creation of high-quality prototypes to showcase at industry events.

From a marketing perspective, the targeted initiatives are significantly increasing Gas Grün's visibility within the sustainable energy sector. Digital skills play a key role in expanding its online presence, reaching a wider audience through the strategic use of social media, online campaigns and industry-specific platforms.  On several occasions, EDIH pro_digital was able to showcase the concept of GasGrün’s recycling and new energy production approach. This has resulted in increased interest from other SMEs as well as other EDIHs.

EDIH pro_digital invited GasGrün as a panel speaker at the EDIH Workshop on Smart Cities and Regions in Dresden, Germany, in November 2023. Furthermore, the company was presented at the EDIH Twister Meeting in the Czech Republic in September 2023.