Bird Protection on Electricity Grids

Iberdrola has more than 1.1 million km of electricity transmission and power distribution lines in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Spain. More than 4.400 high to medium voltage substations and more than 1.5 million medium to low voltage distribution transformers make up this grid, all built and operated to supply a high quality and reliable service to a total of 31 million electricity supply points.

In its effort to minimize the impact of power lines on the environment, especially birdlife, Iberdrola, through its International Startup Program PERSEO, is launching a new Startup Challenge in search of innovative solutions to improve their coexistence.

What is the Challenge about?

Challenge

Due to their structure and location, electricity pylons are perfect vantage points for birds in search of rest and food. By perching on them though, they run the risk of electrocution. What’s more, overhead cables are sometimes in their flight path. All this can lead to a loss of biodiversity and occasionally a fire risk.

In addition, vegetation close to the easement areas is removed to avoid it getting close to the lines this preventing incidents with third parties on the network.

Solutions

Iberdrola is working on improving existing solutions to make the bird protections and the felling and pruning work more efficient and durable. Therefore, Iberdrola is looking for:

• Technical solutions that prevent bird electrocution and collisions, made with durable materials that facilitate the operation and maintenance of the lines.

• Solutions that allow a more sustainable management of vegetation.

Evaluation & Pilot Project

Your proposal will be evaluated based on its scalability criteria, design compatibility with electrical installations, and the suitability of the materials. All submissions will be reviewed by experts in Iberdrola’s MV networks & sustainability from different regions.

The pilot project will be implemented in collaboration with specialist technicians from Iberdrola’s network area.

Why You Should Apply

Pilot Project

The winner of the Challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola and be able to test out their project in the group's networks.

New Clients & Investors

If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to its service territory. Besides, Perseo, the VC arm of Iberdrola, could consider an investment.

Scalability of Business

The Challenge offers the possibility to scale your technology into more of Iberdrola's regions and assets.

FAQ

See our responses to some of the most common questions or view our Terms & Conditions.

What solutions are you looking for?

In its effort to minimize the impact of power lines on the environment, especially on birdlife, Iberdrola is in search of innovative solutions to improve their coexistence.

Iberdrola aims to improve existing solutions to make the bird protections and the felling and pruning work more efficient and durable.

Therefore, Iberdrola is looking for:

• Technical solutions that prevent bird electrocution and collisions, made with durable materials that facilitate the operation and maintenance of the lines.
• Solutions that allow a more sustainable management of vegetation.

What are the Challenge's key benefits for me?

There are many reasons why you should apply for this Challenge:

• The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola
• The Challenge offers to test your technology in Iberdrola's networks
• If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to its current portfolio
• The Challenge offers the possibility to scale your technology into more of Iberdrola's regions and assets
• Perseo, the VC arm of Iberdrola, might consider an investment

What do I need to know about the Pilot Project?

The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract and be able to test our their solution.

Furthermore, Iberdrola will:

• bear the costs of such collaboration and testing activities
• provide the technical support to test the solution proposed, granting access to equipment, teams, infrastructures, high-tech locations, and co-working areas
• provide a real environment and data to test the solution

The pilot project will be implemented in collaboration with specialist technicians from Iberdrola's network area.

Can I submit more than one proposal?: You are welcome to submit more than one proposal, just make sure to submit a separate application form for each.

When is the application deadline?: The application period for this challenge ends on 27 July 2020, 12 pm GMT.

How will the applications be evaluated?

All proposals will be analyzed based on scalability criteria, a design compatible with electrical installations and the suitability of the materials.

Submissions will be analyzed by experts in Iberdrola's MV networks and sustainability from different regions.

Bird Protection on Electricity Grids

Thank you for your applications!

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