Multinational Utility Iberdrola Seeks Object Detection Solutions For Specific Use Case

Street lighting accounts for around 15% of the energy identified in Iberdrola’s plan to reduce network losses in Brazil. In some cases, even before a new allotment, light bulbs are already installed without being registered in the maintenance database. Likewise, telephone and pay-TV cables from telecommunications operators are installed by default on the distributor’s posts without the distributor receiving the appropriate sharing fees.

Iberdrola is, therefore, looking for solutions to update their database regularly and quickly by means of computer software, in order to improve infrastructure maintenance and reduce network energy losses. For example, via proposals that autonomously detect public lighting points and validate them using technologies such as deep learning, e.g. geotagging, object detection (CNNs), and more.

This situation is recurrent in Brazil, particularly in the states of Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte, which is why the winning solution will be tested there. However, it may also be used in other regions and for other of the group’s assets.

Is this Challenge for you?

• The detection method should use external databases, as well as data and georeferencing of the Iberdrola’s street lights.
• The images or data used for identification must be updated regularly.
• The process must be automatic and work with hardly any human intervention.
• It must meet the criteria of efficiency, serviceability, scalability, and reproducibility.

What’s in it for you?

Pilot Project

Iberdrola will bear the costs and will give the winner of the challenge technical support to test their solution on installations pertaining to the Network subsidiary, providing access to the necessary resources to evaluate it (equipment, teams, infrastructure, high-tech positioning, co-working areas, etc.).

New Clients & Investors

If the pilot is successful, the company will incorporate the solution into its portfolio of suppliers to improve the operability and maintenance of its databases. Perseo (Iberdrola’s VC arm) may also consider investing in the project.

Business Scalability

The winning technology could be scalable to other business areas in the group and other network assets.

Get more information & apply by 16 March 2020 via the Iberdrola Startup Challenge Site!

 

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