50Hertz, a transmission system operator under Elia Group, manages the high-voltage grid across northern and eastern Germany, covering nearly one-third of the country’s infrastructure. With over 1,500 employees, the company ensures a stable energy supply while integrating renewable energy to support Germany’s clean energy goals. In 2023, 50Hertz launched a digitalization initiative using SAP Build Apps, a no-code tool within the SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), to streamline its maintenance processes.

Following a 2023 analysis, 50Hertz identified inefficiencies in its plant maintenance system, where manual data entry and Excel-based calculations for power circuit master data were time-consuming and error-prone. The company collaborated with the SAP AppHaus team in Berlin to develop a mobile application for its specialized maintenance electricians. The team stated: “SAP Build Apps could not only help enhance operational agility and speed responses to business requirements, it could also integrate seamlessly with existing SAP S/4HANA architecture.”

Using SAP Build Apps, 50Hertz’s citizen developers created four maintenance applications with minimal external support. The electric circuit display app shows circuit attributes, while the circuit section display app enables users to view specific circuit sections and their characteristics. The circuit section adjusting app allows modifications to circuit attributes, and the circuit section design app supports the creation of new circuit sections by entering required data. These apps integrate with the SAP S/4HANA system, representing power circuits as functional locations.

The rollout of these applications has significantly improved operations. Maintenance processes for functional locations are now 15% faster, with a notable reduction in paper- and Excel-based tasks. The apps’ intuitive design has accelerated technician onboarding by 10%, enabling quick adoption. Automated calculations have enhanced accuracy, and an intuitive search function based on historical data simplifies access to technical locations.

The initiative aligns with 50Hertz’s strategy to maintain a clean core system, enhancing efficiency and scalability. The SAP Discovery Center’s guidance on “Keep the Core Clean Using SAP Build Apps with SAP S/4HANA” provided a framework for the project, ensuring seamless integration and operational improvements. The company appreciates the ability to develop complex applications rapidly, stating: “Looking back, the 50Hertz team appreciates the opportunity to develop complex apps with SAP Build Apps in relatively short timeframes.”

By leveraging SAP Build Apps, 50Hertz has strengthened its maintenance operations, supporting Germany’s energy transition with innovative digital solutions. The project demonstrates the company’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable energy management across its grid infrastructure.