About the Project

In 2019, EDP’s innovation team identified a need for new methods to inspect overhead power lines, especially those passing through forested areas. Helicopter inspections, while effective, were costly and posed operational risks. To address this, the team turned to the Energy Starter program and identified Hepta Insights, an Estonian startup offering a promising solution to optimize the entire inspection process—from image capture to post-inspection report creation.

Hepta’s solution uses advanced technologies for the inspection of energy assets:

1. Visual Inspection: AI and computer vision algorithms process drone-captured images to automatically identify visual anomalies;
2. Thermographic Inspection: Infrared images detect abnormal heating points in the network, indicating potential imminent failures. These points are georeferenced and classified by severity for prioritized repairs;
3. LiDAR Inspection: Data collected is used to create a 3D reconstruction of the power line and its surroundings, identifying violations of mandatory safety distances, such as vegetation proximity.

By 2020, E-REDES, EDP’s Distribution System Operator (DSO), partnered with Hepta to explore drone-based inspections of medium and high voltage power lines. This collaboration led to the creation of the GridDrone pilot project in 2021, which successfully validated drone technology for power line inspections across 1,000 km of networks in Portugal. The results revealed significant improvements in safety, quality, efficiency, and lowered CO2 emissions compared with the existing helicopter-based method.

Impactful Collaboration

Given the successful outcomes of the project, Hepta Insights was contracted to perform the data-capture of power line inspections in Portugal, integrating the process of the current service provider of E-REDES for powerline inspection, EDP Labelec.

In 2023, Hepta inspected trough Labelec, over 5000 km of medium voltage aerial networks, contributing to a total of 11,500 km of electrical lines inspected by E-REDES using drones, surpassing the 11,000 km inspected by helicopters.

In 2024, E-REDES inspected over 12,500 km of power lines using drones, with half of these inspections conducted by Hepta Insights. This collaboration, facilitated by the Energy Starter program, underscores the value of connecting EDP’s business units with innovative startups to fast-track the adoption of technological advancements in the energy sector. By integrating drone technology, E-REDES is enhancing the efficiency and safety of its inspections, while also contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

The post Innovating Power Line Inspections: Hepta Insights’ Story in EDP’s Energy Starter appeared first on theenergystarter.

About the Project

QE Labs, a startup from the cohort of Energy Starter’s Renewables and Green Hydrogen bootcamp in Singapore, brings a revolutionary approach to solar panel inspections. Their cutting-edge technology, which combines electroluminescence (EL) with drones, has the potential to significantly enhance the inspection process of solar assets. This innovation is crucial for:

• Ensuring new solar installations meet the highest standards;
• Optimize maintenance interventions based on deeper understanding of the status of our assets;
• Accurately detecting damage for insurance claims;
• Identifying potential issues before they cause significant problems;
• Protecting the integrity and value of solar assets during sales and acquisitions.

By enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of solar inspections, QE Labs’ technology aligns perfectly with EDP’s dedication to sustainability and operational excellence.

Impactful Collaboration

Together, EDP and QE Labs have launched two successful pilot projects in 2024:

• Large-Scale Solar PV Sites: QE Labs inspected around 50,000 panels at EDP Renewables solar PV farms in Villacastín and Cruz de Hierro in Spain, detecting cell cracks and verifying manufacturing standards to extend the life and performance of solar projects.
• Rooftop PV Inspections: QE Labs tested their solution on three rooftops of a B2B costumer in Velilla de San Antonio in Spain, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and scaling up maintenance efforts.

These pilot-projects are not just about testing technology—they’re about improving how we operate and validating its commercial viability towards a long-term partnership. By quickly and accurately identifying issues, EDP can optimize its solar assets, leading to more efficient energy production and better use of existing equipment.

This pilot project exemplifies the power of open innovation, demonstrating how collaboration can drive meaningful progress. By joining forces through the Energy Starter program, QE Labs and EDP are not only showcasing the practical application of a cutting-edge technology but are also paving the way for its adoption on a global scale.

The post Pioneering Solar Assets Inspection: QE Labs’ Story in EDP’s Energy Starter appeared first on theenergystarter.