Do You Build Autonomous Inspection UAVs or Drones?

Renewable energy leader Iberdrola invites startups to participate in its Autonomous Offshore Inspections Startup Challenge.

Iberdrola is well-placed as a global leader in the offshore wind market. Offshore wind has become a leading growth vector for Iberdrola with current offshore wind assets of 1.26 GW and a further pipeline of 9.6 GW in both development and construction expected to come into operation by 2027.

Iberdrola seeks fully autonomous or remotely controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that will optimize the inspection of Iberdrola’s offshore assets, particularly focusing on, although not limited to, detection of anomalies and faults in wind turbine blades and foundations.

Iberdrola is no stranger to working with startups and emerging companies - over the last two years, the Group has launched over 19 Startup Challenges to address pressing issues in today's energy networks.

Moreover, working with Iberdrola presents a unique opportunity:

Winning this Challenge will award you with signing a collaboration agreement for the development of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC). The PoC will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from Iberdrola.

Additionally, PERSEO covers the costs of the pilot activities and provides you with the necessary technical support, giving access to infrastructures and real data to test your solution.

Finally, PERSEO may consider investing in your solution!

Offshore environments can be harsh with extreme weather conditions. Iberdrola seeks UAV solutions that can withstand these conditions and also optimize maintenance inspections, reduce costs and time, as well as make it safer for employees.

For this challenge, Iberdrola seeks solutions that include the following:

• Fully autonomous self-driving or remotely operated vehicles (FASDVs or ROVs).
• Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) technology.
• Inspection systems for wind turbine components including blades and foundations.
• Minimal or zero downtime for wind turbines.
• Image/video capture and condition scan with subsequent data analysis.
• Full inspection packages including 3D modeling and digital twin solutions.
• Preventive maintenance and in-situ repair, if needed.
• Solutions that address both above- and below-water inspections.

However, if your proposal does not fit this challenge, it will also be analyzed, provided that the competitive advantages of the proposal for a specific type of site are clearly explained.

Your benefits include:

• Collaboration Agreement & Pilot Test: The prize for the winner consists of a collaboration and test agreement with PERSEO or any other Iberdrola group company. The group will support the cost of the pilot activities.

• Access-all-Areas: Iberdrola will provide the winner with all necessary technical support, as well as a site and real data to test the solution. This includes access to equipment, teams, infrastructure, high technology sites, and shared work areas.

• Scale Your Technology: If the pilot test is satisfactory, Iberdrola may offer the winner the opportunity to scale up the solution by adapting it through commercial agreements.

• Investment: What's more, PERSEO will consider investing in the participating company and/or the winner of the challenge.

The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola and/or PERSEO and will be able to test their solution in a real environment.

For the collaboration of the pilot project, Iberdrola will:

• assume the costs of the collaboration and the proof of concept
• provide the necessary technical support to test the solution proposed
• give access to equipment, appliances, infrastructure, high technology sites, and joint work areas
• provide a real environment and real data to test the solution

The project will be developed in collaboration with technical specialists from Iberdrola group companies.

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

The application period for this challenge ends on 14th November 2022.

While evaluating your proposals, Iberdrola will consider the following value propositions, among others:

• The maturity and reliability of the solution
• Whether the device is self-operated
• Investment and operational costs
• Required working hours
• Ease of deployment, use, and maintenance
• Minimal training requirements to operate the solution
• Continuity of energy production
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standard compliant