Startup uses AI to protect public services against extreme weather conditions

The Redfern, New South Wales, Australia-based startup recently launched artificial intelligence and machine learning that create large-scale models of networks and assess risks without the need to perform manual research.

Since commercial launch in 2019, the Neara raised a total of $45 million AUD (around $29,3 million USD) from investors including Square Peg Capital, Skip Capital and Press Ventures. Its clients include Essential Energy, Endeavor Energy and SA Power Networks. It also has partnerships with Southern California Edison and EMPACT Engineering.

Neara's AI and machine learning-based features are already part of its technology stack and have been used by utilities around the world, including Southern California Edison, SA Power Networks and Endeavor Energy in Australia, ESB in Ireland and Scottish Power.

O co-founder Jack Curtis said that billions are spent on utility infrastructure, including maintenance, upgrades and the cost of labor. When something goes wrong, consumers are immediately affected. When Neara began integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities into its platform, it was to analyze existing infrastructure without manual inspections, which it says can often be inefficient, inaccurate and expensive.

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So Neara expanded its AI and machine learning capabilities to be able to create a large-scale model of the utility network and its surroundings. Models can be used in a variety of ways, including simulating the impact of extreme weather on electricity supply before, during and after an event. This can increase the speed of power restoration, keep utility crews safe, and mitigate the impact of weather events.

“The increasing frequency and severity of severe weather events drives our product development more than any specific event,” says Curtis. “Recently, there has been an increase in severe weather events around the world and the grid is being impacted by this phenomenon.”

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Using AI and machine learning, Neara's digital models of utility networks can prepare energy and utility providers for them. Some situations that Neara can predict include where strong winds can cause power outages and wildfires, flood water levels that mean grids need to turn off their power, and ice and snow accumulations that can make grids less reliable and resilient.

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