en.Wedoany.com Reported - Spanish utility company Iberdrola has introduced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology from Finland's ICEYE to enhance the resilience of its power network against extreme weather. This system utilizes near-real-time geospatial data to help operators predict risks in advance and quickly assess damage, thereby reducing power outage duration.
The technology was selected from Iberdrola's international open innovation program, New-Tech Challenge, operated by PERSEO, with over 40 proposals from ten countries competing. It will initially be deployed in a pilot project in Spain.
During the pilot phase, ICEYE's SAR satellite constellation will continuously monitor designated areas, unaffected by weather or day/night conditions, helping Iberdrola track hazards such as floods, wildfires, and strong winds. The high-resolution images captured by the satellites allow operators to quickly locate the most severely damaged equipment, even when roads are disrupted, enabling more efficient deployment of repair crews and faster power restoration.
Iberdrola currently operates over 1.4 million kilometers of transmission and distribution lines globally, serving millions of customers. Based on the pilot in Spain, the project will also expand to the United States and Australia—when hurricanes impact local assets, ICEYE can provide detailed damage assessment maps within 24 hours.
Gonzalo García-Muñoz, Senior Vice President of Global Operations and CEO of ICEYE in Spain, stated that the collaboration integrates satellite intelligence into daily network operations, enabling earlier risk identification and faster power restoration in affected areas.
Óscar Villanueva, Western Regional Director of Iberdrola's distribution company i-DE Smart Grids in Spain, emphasized that enhancing grid resilience is a top priority. Introducing advanced observation and analysis capabilities helps predict extreme weather, mitigate impacts on users, and lay the foundation for building a more resilient power system in the future.
