GIS

ESB Networks and Neara partner to reduce risk of climate-related power cuts

Ireland’s Asset Owner and Distribution System Operator, ESB Networks, has partnered with Neara, the leading AI infrastructure modelling platform, to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on energy supply and speed up the clean energy transition.

With the frequency and intensity of storms increasing across Ireland in recent years, ESB Networks is taking an innovative approach to climate-proof its network and protect its 2.4 million customers from the growing risk of weather-related power outages. Through this new partnership, ESB Networks is deploying Neara’s AI and digital modelling technology to transform the way they identify, evaluate, and address risks across their Transmission network spanning over 7,500km.

ESB is leveraging Neara’s technology to create a ‘digital twin’ model that maps all their infrastructure using high accuracy LiDAR down to the level of individual structures (poles, towers) and the conductors strung between them. For this reason, LiDAR data is essential in building the ‘digital twin’. The model is used to analyse and stress-test key parts of the network in granular detail within a simulated digital environment. www.esbnetworks.ie

A collaborative smart city research project

As part of the Smart DCU (Dublin City University) program, which is utilizing the university campus as a test site to explore and evaluate the latest advancements in smart city solutions, Dublin City University (DCU) is collaborating with Insight SFI Research Center for Data Analytics (Insight) and Bentley Systems. This collaborative initiative aims to investigate the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive digital twin technology using DCU as a city microcosm for developing intelligent and sustainable urban spaces.

It strives to push the boundaries of digital twins by leveraging Insight’s AI expertise and Bentley’s advanced technology applications in a secure and controlled campus environment, helping guide cities in the strategic deployment of smart city innovations.

The project involves establishing AI algorithms and digital twins to simulate and visualize scenarios and use predictive analytics to improve mobility and safety on campus, as well as enable real-time monitoring of building performance, occupancy, and air quality. The goal is to gather digital insight to help the university better understand how people, traffic, and buildings interact within the built environment, making more informed decisions. www.bentley.com

Antarctica mysteries to be mapped by robot plane

A team of scientists and engineers have landed in Antarctica to test a drone that will help experts forecast the impacts of climate change. The autonomous plane will map areas of the continent that have been out of bounds to researchers. It has been put to the test in extreme weather around Wales’ highest peaks.

Its first experiment will survey the mountains under an ice sheet to predict how quickly the ice could melt and feed into global sea-level rise. Scientists want to understand Antarctica better but they are limited by the existing technology. Strong winds, below-freezing temperatures and sudden storms are common. These dangerous conditions, as well as dark winters and the need to transport pilots and large amounts of fuel, put limitations on use of traditional crewed planes.

The British Antarctic Survey developed the new drone with UK company Windracers to be easily repaired if something goes wrong. The drone was tested in Llanbedr, Eryri (also called Snowdonia) in north Wales – a standin for the difficult weather and terrain of Antarctica. During a practice run in strong winds with rain lashing the airfield, engineer Rebecca Toomey explained that the drone can fly to remote areas without concerns for pilots’ safety. www.bbc.com

SUV ended up on flight of steps

An SUV driver relying on Google Maps for navigation ended up stuck on a flight of steps in Gudalur, a hill town in Tamil Nadu. The incident happened when a man was driving from Gudalur, where he and his friends spent the weekend, and was using Google Maps for directions on their way back to Karnataka.

Gudalur, situated at a tri-junction among Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, is a popular holiday spot, often visited by tourists heading to Ooty. www.indiatoday.in

TopGis elevates 3D visualization capabilities with the UltraCam Osprey 4.1

Leading Czech geospatial technology firm, TopGis, has reinforced its commitment to delivering cutting-edge 3D interactive city visualizations with the recent acquisition of the UltraCam Osprey 4.1 from Vexcel Imaging. With the UltraCam Osprey 4.1, TopGis aims to obtain higher quality data and the ability to document greater detail. The strategic move to incorporate the UltraCam Osprey 4.1 aligns with the evolving landscape of 3D worlds and digital twins. The shift towards widespread oblique imaging reinforces the significance of using cutting-edge technology, making the UltraCam Osprey 4.1 the ideal choice for TopGis. vexcel-imaging.com

BlackSky inks $50 million deal

BlackSky, an Earth observation and data analytics firm, will provide satellite imagery services and imaging spacecraft to the Republic of Indonesia under a $50 million deal announced on Feb. 8. BlackSky will work with Thales Alenia Space to establish the building blocks of a sovereign Earth imaging satellite network tailored to Indonesia’s national security needs. https://spacenews.com