MADRID, 24 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Iberdrola has reported this Friday that it is looking for ‘startups’ to inspect and digitize its offshore wind farms with the aim of finding solutions that allow this type of farm to be improved with fully autonomous or remote-controlled equipment.
The electricity company will invest around 15.5 billion euros in renewables between 2024 and 2026, and 54% of this amount will be allocated to offshore wind in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Through the Perseo startup program, the company seeks solutions to improve its offshore wind installations. The mission, the company explained, is to improve the technology of this type of parks, since marine environments are often harsh and suffer from extreme weather conditions.
“The equipment must be able to withstand these conditions to optimize maintenance inspections and reduce time and risks for employees,” Iberdrola said in a statement.
The Perseo initiative seeks a company that offers autonomous vehicles or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), underwater component inspection systems for turbines and substations (jackets, foundations, underwater cables), image capture or video and condition scanning with subsequent data analysis and on-site preventive maintenance and repair capabilities when possible or necessary.
Interested companies must send their proposals to Iberdrola, and, after a selection process, the chosen company will carry out tests with Perseo or another electricity company, which will cover the cost of these activities and provide the winner with all the technical assistance they need.
This includes testing in a real-world environment to evaluate the solution, access to tools, equipment, infrastructure, high-tech locations, and shared work areas.
The project will be developed in collaboration with specialized technicians from Iberdrola’s renewable and offshore business areas. If the trial or test is successful, Iberdrola may offer the winner the opportunity to scale the solution through commercial agreements. “What’s more, Perseo may consider the possibility of investing in the participating company or in the winning solution of the challenge,” the company highlighted.
At the end of last year, Iberdrola had an installed capacity of about 1,800 megawatts (MW) in offshore wind and about 3,000 MW already under construction, with the goal that in 2026 the power in this technology will reach 4,800 MW.
Its operating parks are in the United Kingdom (West of Duddon Sands and East Anglia One), Germany (Wikinger) and France (Saint Brieuc), while the launches of the German Baltic Eagle and the American Vineyard Wind are planned this year, as well as as well as the German Widanker and the British East Anglia Three.
The engine of startups in the energy sector, Perseo has invested since its creation in 2008 more than 175 million euros in startups that develop innovative technologies and business models, focusing on those that improve the sustainability of the energy sector. through greater electrification and decarbonization of the economy.
The program has oriented its actions to the analysis of business opportunities and technological collaboration with startups and emerging companies in the world.
Through Perseo, Iberdrola launched the Venture Builder program in 2020, endowed with 40 million euros for the creation of new business models aimed at supporting electrification in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize and the development of circular economy solutions, among others. .