Iberdrola and Arbórea innovate the management of solar plants with the ‘Antecursor II’ robot
06 Mar 2024
It allows autonomous monitoring of solar plants, detecting thermal anomalies in all structures, including clips, fuse holders, staples and wiring.
In a technological advance that promises to revolutionize the renewable energy industry, Arbórea Intellbird, the Salamanca-based technology firm, and the energy giant Iberdrola have joined forces to deploy an innovative inspection platform at the Villarino solar plant, in Salamanca. This project marks a milestone in the integration of cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of photovoltaic plants.
The Villarino solar plant, with a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), is already operating at full capacity, generating enough clean energy to supply more than 26,000 homes and avoiding the emission of 12,000 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere. However, its efficiency and sustainability are now reinforced with the introduction of the Antecursor II. It is an autonomous robot capable of remotely and efficiently managing inspection operations in the plant.
The Antecursor II, developed by Arbórea Intellbird, is an electric vehicle built with aerospace alloys and equipped with cutting-edge technology. Weighing 285 kg, this robot operates autonomously anywhere in the world, thanks to the satellite coverage provided by the ‘Starlink’ network, running exclusively on renewable electrical energy.
The platform developed by Arbórea Intellbird allows autonomous monitoring of solar plants, detecting thermal anomalies in all structures, including clips, fuse holders, staples and wiring. This is achieved thanks to an advanced system of high-resolution thermographic sensors and a patented artificial intelligence process, capable of processing large volumes of data in real time.
Continuous inspections
One of the most notable features of the Antecursor II is its ability to perform continuous inspections for more than 30 hours without human intervention. This ensures constant monitoring of the operation of the solar panels and electrical circuit, significantly reducing costs and CO2 emissions associated with manual inspection.
In addition to its inspection function, the Antecursor II is equipped with a vegetation clearing system made of aircraft materials. This technology allows for efficient and environmentally friendly clearing, avoiding soil contamination and reducing the risk of fires associated with traditional clearing methods.
Colaboration
Carlos Bernabeu, CEO of Arbórea Intellbird, highlights the importance of this pioneering collaboration: “This new development represents a step forward in the autonomous inspection of solar plants. Thanks to the combination of cutting-edge technologies, such as the satellite coverage of the ‘Starlink’ network, the Antecursor II can operate anywhere in the world, running exclusively on renewable electrical energy.”
Fernando Martínez Riaza, director of Iberdrola Renovables in Castilla y León, highlights the value of this collaboration: “Iberdrola is proud to support the development of innovative technologies that drive efficiency and sustainability in the energy sector. Antecursor II is an example of how collaboration between companies can lead to disruptive solutions that benefit the entire industry.”
The development and deployment of the Antecursor II at the Villarino solar plant not only represents a significant technological advance, but also an economic and social boost for the region. The involvement of local suppliers and job creation in rural areas demonstrate the positive impact that innovation and sustainability can have on local communities.
Fuente: The energy newspaper
This solar plant in Salamanca is controlled by a robot that is also a gardener: Antecursor II
A robot to monitor the solar panels that tours the photovoltaic installations