Researchers from IQS carry out the SPVIoT project to monitor and predict the growth of vegetation around electrical towers, based on computer vision. The project has been funded in the Llavor i Producte 2019 call for the Knowledge Industry Program for the development of innovative projects.
The transmission of electrical energy is highly dependent on the use of towers to transport energy from power stations to end users. Vegetation grows around these towers and can pose a risk of fire or other incidents that could cause power cuts and damage to nature with high economic and environmental costs.
Currently, vegetation surrounding towers is monitored through examining the base of the tower or by using drones, helicopters, or satellite images. These techniques are expensive and time consuming as they require subsequent data processing to determine where vegetation should be pruned or trimmed.
The development of preventive tools to monitor and predict vegetation growth will make it possible to prevent certain incidents such as fires caused by the contact of conductors with vegetation and the resulting power outages.
SPVIoT Project
A group of researchers led by Dr Marco Antonio Pérez, falling under the Industrial Products Engineering Group (GEPI) within the IQS School of Engineering, are working on the project SPVIoT- Smart monitoring and prediction of vegetation growth around electrical towers by advanced laser technologies and cloud-powered Artificial Intelligence. Their objective is to develop and validate an advanced, autonomous, and innovative monitoring and prediction system based on artificial intelligence and low cost and maintenance.
The device sends the captured images to a cloud platform for subsequent automatic processing and remote analysis, making it possible to access data as needed. The researchers have also developed advanced Machine Learning algorithms to predict vegetation growth, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce the costs associated with preventing and controlling potential fires.
Llavor Projects
The SPVIoT project has received funding for the development of innovative projects within the Llavor i Producte 2019 call, within the framework of the Knowledge Industry Program of the Government of Catalonia, promoted by the University and Research Grant Management Agency (AGAUR).
This project has been co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
