Iberdrola has created a ‘start-up challenge’ programme that aims to uncover and support innovative concepts that tackle threats affecting the global energy industry.
The first in a number of planned competitions is asking innovators and start-ups from the UK to provide ideas that help counter the impact of climate change and severe weather events on the power grid.
Increases in temperature and greater frequency of extreme weather events are a major challenge for operators of electricity networks across the world.
Storm-force winds, rising water levels, extreme heat, ice, and snow can all cause major damage and disruption.
Iberdrola wants to hear about ideas that could help with either preventing issues, or the recovery of the network after a storm has hit.
Companies are invited to register for the competition until 30 June.
For prevention, areas that could be explored include planning, operation, maintenance and engineering to better monitor and manage electricity assets before they are damaged.
To improve service recovery, ideas could include solutions that reduce the impact on homes and businesses when the damage has been caused.
Iberdrola networks business director Armando Martinez said: “Climate change poses many risks to society, and more frequent and more intense weather events are a real challenge for electricity network operators.
“Companies like Iberdrola are always innovating and improving processes, and we also studiously monitor and assess emerging technologies. However, we are sure that there will be concepts currently brewing in labs and on whiteboards that could end up being global game-changers.”
The winning project will have the opportunity to carry out a pilot, combining the skills of the selected company with Iberdrola’s resources and market knowledge.
If the pilot is a success, Iberdrola will include it among its maintenance tools and the winning company will be offered the opportunity to become a supplier.
Iberdrola, through its PERSEO start-up programme, would also be open to discussing the possibility of making an investment in the winning company.