Building an energy plant represents a huge effort that spans evaluation, design, construction, and operation stages. However, delays in any of these phases can lead to significant additional costs, affect timelines, and, in some cases, compromise the project’s feasibility.
In fact, according to KPMG, low productivity and projects that exceed budgets and deadlines are some of the biggest challenges faced by the construction industry.
Satellite data has emerged as a fundamental tool to mitigate these risks and ensure operational success. In this article, we will discuss how this technology can accelerate processes, minimize risks, and optimize the management of energy projects.
The importance of accurate initial evaluation
Site selection and feasibility analysis are critical stages in the development of an energy plant. Traditionally, these processes rely on on-site inspections that can take weeks or even months.
However, satellite data allows these analyses to be conducted remotely, quickly, and accurately, saving time and reducing costs associated with travel and prolonged field studies.
Satellite data can analyze vast geographical areas in a matter of hours, providing vital information to make strategic decisions. These decisions are based on aspects such as:
- Topography: detection of slopes, landslide or erosion risks that could impact infrastructure stability.
- Environmental restrictions: identification of protected areas and species, sensitive ecosystems, and biological corridors that must be preserved according to local and international regulations.
- Accessibility: planning of efficient routes for heavy machinery and material transport, optimizing project logistics.
- Climate risk areas: identifying areas prone to flooding, droughts, or other natural phenomena that may affect the project’s viability.
- Environmental impact: identifying nearby elements such as wind farms, rivers, nodes, and surrounding constructions. This information is crucial for evaluating possible impacts, restrictions, and integration opportunities with existing infrastructures.
Furthermore, due to its high resolution and data-capturing capacity, satellite data can identify characteristics that might be overlooked during conventional inspections.
Key Benefits:
- Increased scalability and agility in analysis
- Greater accuracy: satellite data detects variables such as soil composition, vegetation density, and the presence of water bodies with higher precision.
- Risk reduction: identifying potential issues from early stages minimizes the risk of future complications that could delay the project.
- Access to historical records: satellite data also allows the analysis of land-use changes and climate patterns over time, which is useful for forecasting long-term risks.
Risk reduction during construction
Construction phases are particularly vulnerable to delays due to logistical issues, adverse weather conditions, and unexpected changes in land conditions. Satellite data can provide updates to make informed decisions and effectively mitigate risks.
Key Benefits:
- Remote monitoring: companies can monitor construction progress without the need for constant site visits, reducing travel costs and improving project management efficiency. By integrating satellite data into their systems, managers can get a complete picture of on-site activities and make immediate adjustments when necessary.
- Disaster prevention: early detection of terrain changes, such as landslides or water accumulation, allows teams to react quickly to prevent major damage. For example, monitoring flood-prone areas can alert teams to reinforce drainage systems or postpone certain activities.
- Resource optimization: identifying underutilized machinery or poorly distributed materials is crucial for maintaining timelines. Satellite data allows tracking the exact location of equipment and optimizing its use according to project needs.
Continuous monitoring and environmental compliance
After commissioning, satellite data continues to be an invaluable tool for overseeing plant operation and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Key Applications:
- Preventive maintenance (monitoring vegetation growth)
- Ground accessibility for maintenance
- Environmental monitoring: detecting land-use changes or impacts on nearby ecosystems. For instance, it can identify deforestation, erosion, or alterations in water bodies that may result from plant operations.
- Structural safety: identifying anomalies or damage in key infrastructures like solar panels, wind turbines, or wiring. This enables early intervention to prevent critical failures.
Additional Benefits:
- Regulatory compliance: provides visual evidence and quantifiable data that facilitate audits and ensure compliance with environmental laws.
- Reputational risk mitigation: by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and compliance, companies can strengthen their public image and relations with local communities.
In conclusion, satellite data has proven to be an efficient and scalable solution for managing the challenges faced by energy projects. From initial planning to ongoing operations, this technology offers significant advantages in terms of time, cost, and sustainability.
At Imageryst, we offer solutions based on spatial data, using advanced tools to optimize energy projects from initial planning to continuous monitoring. Our platform combines high-resolution satellite imagery with artificial intelligence algorithms to provide information that optimizes decision-making.
To discover how you can leverage the power of spatial data, we invite you to join this webinar on-demand, where we review success stories and demonstrate the capabilities of our platform. Don’t miss it!
