Michael Erspamer does not get bored. As the technical director for transmission lines at Omexom Germany, he works in a sector with a reputation for technologies and working methods that have barely changed since the 1950s. But his day-to-day experience certainly does not reflect this rather old-fashioned image of the business. The subjects he works on are more redolent of the high-octane world of innovative startups than of electrical transmission with its good old-fashioned transmission towers. 

The latest innovation to his credit is an innovative catenary rollersystem to make the installation of high-voltage lines safer. A minor revolution against the traditional system!  

But there are more innovations on the way: 3D modelling of transmission towers, a solution for managing steel road plates, quality control using a combination of drones and AI, and maintenance robots are all new projects he is working on. 

Aged 43, this Swiss-Italian engineer has come a long way since 2006, when he started out in the family construction and electrical distribution business, which merged with the German firm GA Gruppe shortly before their acquisition by VINCI Energies. “VINCI Energies’ policies, processes and methods suited me down to the ground. Its international network offers countless opportunities.” He currently heads up two business units and would ultimately like to shift toward a role tackling environmental issues – the thesis he is currently writing on urban mobility is testament to that. After all, the opportunities are endless at VINCI Energies.