What if there was a way to identify the intensity of natural disasters? Intrigued? This is what an Australian startup, Neara, set out to achieve. Its AI Technology protects utilities from extreme weather by creating comprehensive models of power networks. Paired with Lidar and satellite data, these models help companies assess risks and simulate the effects of severe weather, enabling faster power restoration and ensuring community safety.
Neara, launched in 2019, an Australia-based startup, has recently launched AI and machine learning products to create large-scale models of networks. This can help in assessing risks without performing manual surveys. The company focuses on creating models of power networks for energy providers and utility companies. Its customers include Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, and SA Power Networks. Neara is also partner with EMPACT Engineering and Southern California Edison.
According to Jack Curtis, co-founder and CCO, Neara has enhanced its AI and machine learning capabilities to develop a comprehensive model of a utility’s network and surroundings. These models have various applications, such as simulating the effects of severe weather on electricity supplies. This helps in faster power restoration, ensures the safety of utility teams, and minimizes the impact of weather events.
“The increasing frequency and severity of severe weather motivates our product development more so than any one event. Recently there has been an uptick of severe weather events across the world and the grid is being impacted by this phenomenon,” Curtis added.
Utility companies or third-party capture companies capture Lidar imagery. Customers use this imagery in two ways: to continuously update Neara with new data and to gain insights from historic data. “Essentially, we’re allowing utilities to stay a step ahead of extreme weather by understanding exactly how it will affect their network, allowing them to keep the lights on and their communities safe. A key outcome from ingesting this lidar data is the creation of the digital twin model. That’s where the power lies as opposed to the raw lidar data,” added Curtis.
About Neara’s AI Technology Endeavours
Neara’s AI Technology protects utilities from extreme weather and its work includes Southern California Edison, focusing on auto-prescription. With consistent data, this allows for more precise identification of fire risks and ensures safer inspections. They use lidar and satellite imagery to simulate wildfire spread factors. They must answer over 100 questions for each electric pole and inspect the transmission system annually.
Neara worked with SA Power Networks in Australia after the 2022-2023 River Murray flooding to assess network damage and risk. They completed a report in 15 minutes analyzing 21,000 power line spans, which would have taken months. Thanks to this, they were able to re-energize power lines within 5 days instead of three weeks.
SA Power Networks used 3D modeling to assess how different flood levels could affect its electricity distribution networks. This helped predict locations and times when power lines might be at risk of being disconnected. After the river levels went down, they used modeling to plan the reconnection of electrical supply along the river.
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Neara is working on improving machine learning research and development for the utility industry to optimize their data usage. They are focused on expanding data sources, particularly in image recognition and photogrammetry.
Neara’s AI Technology protects utilities from extreme weather, and it is also working on innovative features with Essential Energy. Together they aim to empower utilities to evaluate every asset, such as poles, within a network.
