Sep 13, 2021

Support 13.09.2021 Swiss space-tech company Wegaw and New Zealand’s energy development center are collaborating on optimising hydropower. The two partners kicked off a project with the country's three biggest hydropower generators and secured funding for one year. With New Zealand aiming to produce its energy from 100% renewable sources by 2030, the industry is eager to integrate new technologies to optimise existing assets. Morges-based start-up Wegaw will support the country in achieving this ambition. Elemental Excelerator, the global accelerator that matches companies worldwide committed to solving climate change, brought together Wegaw and New Zealand’s new energy development centre Ara Ake . The agency, which leads and facilitates low-emissions energy innovation and technology in New Zealand across the energy ecosystem, aims to support the national hydropower sector through its technology. The partnership with Wegaw will enable the start-up to provide satellite-based information enhanced with Artificial Intelligence on the snow-water content of New Zealand’s South Island. This information will allow for optimising the national hydropower production with the help of innovative technology combining geospatial insights and Artificial Intelligence. The project kicked off this September. One-year funding The project proposed by the two partners secured funding for a year-long project with New Zealand’s three biggest hydropower generators; Contact Energy, Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy. The generators have agreed to be involved in a collaborative project to improve their water management and forecasting in their snow-fed catchments. “Connecting our national electricity generators with Wegaw’s AI technology is an exciting opportunity for generators to add value to their forecasting and ultimately play a stronger role in the nation’s low-emissions future,” said Ara Ake's Chief Executive, Cristiano Marantes. (Press release/RAN)