The rise of extreme weather events is not just a troubling statistic—it’s a reality that utility companies face every day. As storms grow fiercer and floods more destructive, the need for effective solutions to protect essential infrastructure has never been more pressing. Enter Neara, a pioneering Aussie startup that’s reshaping the landscape of utility management through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. By enabling energy providers to create robust models of their power networks and assess risks without manual surveys, Neara is changing the game for the global utility sector.

Why the Shift to AI Is Crucial

Over the past few decades, the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena have skyrocketed, prompting a transformation in how utilities manage their assets. Neara’s co-founder Jack Curtis emphasizes that billions are spent on maintaining and upgrading these infrastructures. When things go awry, consumers feel the impact immediately. Traditional methods of infrastructure inspection often fall short, plagued by inefficiencies and inaccuracies. By integrating AI capabilities, Neara allows for a data-driven approach that evaluates existing infrastructure while significantly cutting costs.

Building Accurate Models: The Role of AI and LiDAR

Neara’s innovation journey began with the integration of AI and machine learning into its platform to analyze existing utility networks without the need for cumbersome manual inspections. By employing LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, Neara captures high-resolution imagery of utility landscapes. This foundational technology has enabled the startup to create a digital twin model of utility networks, which serves as a pivotal tool for simulating weather events and predicting potential impacts.

• Hypothetical Scenarios: Neara can model scenarios such as high winds leading to outages and floodwater levels that necessitate energy supply cut-offs.
• Hyper-Accuracy: With training on over one million miles of diverse terrain, these models can pinpoint seemingly minor variations—like changes in elevation—that can lead to significant consequences during weather events.

Transformative Case Studies: Real-World Applications

To illustrate Neara’s impact, consider its partnership with Southern California Edison, where the goal is to enhance predictions for vegetation risk in fire-prone areas. Utilizing lidar and satellite imagery, Neara models variables like wind speed and temperature to assess potential fire hazards. This not only helps guide inspections but also minimizes the risks faced by fieldworkers, emphasizing safety alongside accuracy.

In Australia, Neara played a critical role in assisting SA Power Networks after the devastating River Murray flooding crisis of 2022-2023. Employing its digital flood impact modeling, SA Power Networks assessed the condition of 21,000 power line spans in a mere 15 minutes—a task that would ordinarily take months. This rapid analysis allowed them to restore power lines within five days, a remarkable improvement over the initial three-week estimate.

The Road Ahead: Ongoing Innovations

Looking to the future, Neara is focused on expanding its machine learning capabilities. The startup aims to leverage more diverse data sources for modeling, enhancing its image recognition and photogrammetry capabilities. This forward-thinking approach includes collaboration with Essential Energy on a digital network model aimed at a more precise risk-value analysis of each asset, thus reducing the occurrence of failures and blackouts.

“Essentially, we’re allowing utilities to stay a step ahead of extreme weather by understanding exactly how it will affect their network,” Curtis illustrates, emphasizing the dual mission of keeping communities safe while ensuring reliable electricity supply.

Conclusion: The Imperative of Innovation

In a time where our climate is shifting faster than ever, Neara stands at the forefront of a technological revolution. Its AI-driven solutions for predicting and mitigating the effects of extreme weather on utilities are not just innovative but essential. As lawmakers, utility managers, and technology providers join forces, a more resilient future for energy systems can emerge, empowered by the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.