en.Wedoany.com Reported - ENGIE Brazil Energy Company and the Brazilian Industrial Research and Innovation Company (Embrapii) jointly invested R$950,000 in the Arataca Project. The project aims to develop technological solutions for monitoring current leakage losses in power generation and transmission systems, one of the most complex and imperceptible challenges in electrical operations. The project execution received collaborative support from the CERTI Foundation. Conducted between 2018 and 2025, this research successfully developed a device capable of accurately identifying hidden faults in power systems, helping to prevent short circuits, unplanned outages, and equipment damage. During the research period, the prototype underwent five improvements, progressively enhancing its reliability, sensitivity, and applicability in field environments.
The device has undergone practical testing at several of ENGIE's hydroelectric power plants. The next step is to consolidate the developed technology and advance it to subsequent maturity stages, including the first prototype unit, large-scale production, and ultimately bringing the solution to market. The solution operates on a principle similar to hydraulic tracing. By injecting a controlled current into the system, the device uses an ammeter to trace the current path, identifying leakage points before they escalate into serious faults. This precise diagnostic technology represents a significant breakthrough for predictive maintenance and operational safety in power generation systems.
The term "Arataca" (originally referring to a bird-trapping device) has acquired a new meaning in this project. The concept has been extended to mean "trapping" current leakage and hidden defects in power systems. The project was carried out under the Research, Development, and Innovation (PD&I) program framework of the Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), further strengthening the role of regulated investments in supporting technological solutions for Brazil's electricity sector. Guilherme Slovinski Ferrari, Director of Renewables and Storage at ENGIE Brazil, emphasized: "With the completion of the Arataca Project, the prospects for applying this technology in real operating environments have been opened up, which will enhance power monitoring efficiency and reduce operational risks. The solution is expected to drive advancements in maintenance practices, improve the reliability of power generation systems, and strengthen the innovation capacity of the national electricity sector."
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