Spain-based Naturgy, a supplier of gas and electricity, serving more than 18-million customers in more than 30 countries, has inked a ten-year agreement with IBM to help implement a hybrid cloud strategy.

In a news release, the companies said Naturgy will host its core grids’ data on an on-premises private cloud, with the flexibility tointegrate it with a public cloud to create new AI applications that can help the company to monitor its grid.

The agreement also includes the creation of a virtual IBM innovation hub, giving Naturgy direct access to IBM Research exploring new IBM AI, Internet of Things and Blockchain. Additionally, with IBM Watson’s AI capabilities, Naturgy’s employees will have access to virtual assistants and other automation solutions, say the companies.

IBM will also provide Naturgy a security control framework to monitor risks and threats and better prepare for incidents response.

[Image courtesy: IBM]