i-DE, a major Spanish grid operator, faces the challenge of quickly and accurately detecting illegal construction activities along a huge electricity network. NEO delivered an innovative solution based on satellite data that automatically identifies suspicious construction activities. This approach provides quick insights, thereby reducing risks and saving costs.
About i-DE (Grupo Iberdrola)
i-DE is responsible for the distribution of electricity in several countries in Europe and beyond. In Spain, it operates a network of around 84,000 km of medium-voltage and high-voltage lines. The organisation operates in a strictly regulated safety framework. Within that framework, buildings near high-voltage lines are in principle prohibited. Compliance with these regulations is essential for the safety and integrity of the network.
The challenge
Illegally placed buildings can lead to the need for i-DE to adjust the location of the grid. These are costly operations. i-DE needed to find a way to detect illegal constructions on a large scale along the power grid. Traditional methods such as manual inspections or deploying helicopters and drones are expensive, labour-intensive and therefore of limited scalability. In addition, Spanish legislation requires detailed documentation of the type and timeline of construction violations. i-DE was therefore looking for a cost-efficient, scalable and accurate solution that allows them to act in a timely manner. Under a programme of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), NEO conducted a proof-of-concept to solve this problem.
NEO's solution
NEO developed an advanced monitoring solution based on Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite data, among others.
The solution works in two steps. First, NEO's AI software regularly analyses images of the network area for changes indicating construction activity. Thanks to the high revision frequency of 5 days, new buildings and activities can be detected early.
When an anomaly is detected, very high-resolution satellite data is automatically procured to accurately determine the nature and extent of the structure. This keeps the solution affordable and effective.
The technology goes beyond mere automatic detection. The system can determine the exact start date of a construction work with great precision. This allows i-DE to immediately intervene in time. This avoids the need for expensive measures such as adjusting the location of the grid.
Implementation process
The demonstration was carried out on a representative part of the network. NEO provided full data processing, from image analysis to activity and location reporting. The solution was set up to scale up to the entire network.
Results and impact
● Detection of illegal constructions.
● Timing: The solution determines the exact moment of construction
● Cost savings: This monitoring can save costs for field inspection. In addition, legal and infrastructure costs can be avoided.
About Sentinel-2
The Sentinel-2 satellites, part of the EU's Copernicus programme, provide free multispectral images with a repetition rate of 5 days. This coverage makes Sentinel-2 ideally suited for monitoring dynamic environments such as power grids. The free use of this data is a key element in this innovative service.
