EN language
  • PT
  • ES
Placeholder

Our Projects

Neoenergia has consolidated its role through the implementation of a very robust portfolio of R&D projects, with innovative and pioneering products in the energy sector.

Below are the main highlights of the projects developed by Neoenergia.


Also check the status and balance of the accounts on the following button.
 


Smart Technologies

Conexão Digital is the largest customer-focused Brazilian PDI project in the electricity sector, and it is modernizing customer processes and journeys, creating and integrating new service channels for the more than 15.5 million consumers of our five energy distributors.

The project is based on three pillars: modernization of the customer journey, integrated development of digital solutions, and digital inclusion. The initiative brings a series of benefits to consumers, such as an improvement in their experiences and a more efficient service.

The GODEL Multilink Concentrator is a technology that promotes the secure transfer of information between electrical system equipment and distribution systems, in addition to ensuring interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers on the same communication network.

Using the WI-SUN communication protocol, a pioneering communication technology, the Godel Multilink Concentrator connects to equipment such as Smart Meters and Smart Sensors (GODEL Smart Sensor 34.5 kV, for example), all of these in the same communication network, collects your data and transfers it to the company's systems via a WAN (Wide Area Network), deployed by multiples media, such as: 3G/4G cellular network, satellite and fiber optic communication, which guarantees greater reliability to the communication system.

Developed by Neoenergia, in partnership with Lactec and Tecsys, the equipment has 6 communication slots to maintain scalability, 2 slots for WAN communication, and can have up to 4 slots for Wi-SUN edge routers for FAN (Field Area Network) communication. Each edge router has the capacity for up to 1000 devices, totaling 4000 devices per hub. Multilink still has a coverage area of 5 km with the devices forming a mesh network.

The solution also consists of the GODEL Multilink Repeater, a signal repeater that increases the signal range of the devices when they are spaced apart. The repeaters can also reduce communication latency in cases where the equipment forms a denser communication network, such as smart meters.

GODEL Multilink is part of the GODEL Family of Technologies for Smart Networks. Learn more here.

This PDI project aims to develop a communication standard between smart energy meters, in order to form a mesh network between these devices, making communication more reliable. To this end, this standard uses DLMS (Brazilian standard), PRIME and WI-SUN protocols to ensure that several manufacturers can access the same network, allowing interoperability.

Thus, competition between several manufacturers of smart meters is promoted, making the investment cost lower, benefiting the entire society. Smart meters, with the standard developed in the project, will be able to provide customer consumption information, alerts for interruption of energy supply, enable cutting and reconnection actions, evaluating the quality of the product delivered, among others, providing benefits for service quality and cost reduction.

The project is being developed by Neoenergia in partnership with LACTEC and also includes the construction of two laboratories: one at LACTEC, for the certification of communication protocols, and one at Neoenergia Coelba, for functional tests.

GODEL Measurement is part of the GODEL Family of Technologies for Smart Grids. Learn more here.

Development of a platform for predicting the evolution of air temperature and wind chill, using the results of numerical models of the climate system combined with machine learning techniques, for more assertive energy market projections by Neoenergia distributors over the horizon of up to 10 years.

The Hydroelectric Power Plants of the Southern and Midwest Basins of Brazil suffer from the proliferation of invasive species known as golden mussels. Thus, this Research, Development and Innovation initiative of the Neoenergia Group proposes the development of a new methodology for population control of these species present in the reservoirs of UHEs, through the development of triploid (infertile) organisms, with the objective of achieving a population decline of the species, thus avoiding fouling and clogging in areas such as the power plant's water intake and in equipment such as filters, heat exchangers, grilles and air radiators from generators. The Baixo Iguaçu UHE was chosen to carry out the case study, due to its location and problems faced with these invasive species.

 

Safety

The project consists of the development of electronic equipment capable of processing information from various sensors, such as LIDAR, ultrasound, electric field and leakage current, with the objective of helping the air basket operator to carry out their work more safely. The equipment will be applied to trucks suitable for working on lines energized at a voltage level of 69 kV, and will be able to guide the operator regarding the positioning of the aerial basket and even stop the movement, if it enters an area considered to be at risk.

The project consists of the development of an Artificial Intelligence system with computer vision for the automatic identification by images, through algorithms, of non-conformities of field actions and the use of PIs. An application is being developed to identify safety deviations practiced by teams, with the capacity to massively analyze videos recorded during field services, allowing greater efficiency in the video analysis process and having a direct impact on the reduction of accidents.

In this project, a Robotic Arm is being developed, for use in tree pruning activities in networks of up to 46 kV, in a robotic manner and with remote operation, providing greater safety and operational efficiency. The developed technology consists of a network proximity sensor, which allows the measurement of the distance between the hydraulic arm and the energized electrical power network in a practical, safe and accurate way, signaling the control zones and interrupting the advance of the hydraulic arm when it reaches the risk zone.

The project invests in a pioneering way in the development of national technology for safely measuring the impedance of the earth grid, even with the substation energized. Currently, this activity is properly carried out only with imported products, which are expensive and not always affordable. After a period, the ground suffers from the influence of the soil and the wear and tear of time, which can compromise the quality of the mesh. For this reason, it is important to measure the resistance periodically to verify that it is in good condition, to ensure the balance of all equipment connected to it.

Development for the intelligent management of the Dam Safety Plan (PSB) using georeferencing and intelligent algorithms, unifying the processes and information provided for in the safety plans on a single platform. This system will assist in activating teams, managing instrumentation and risk analysis of projects, supporting Neoenergia's decision-making

.

 

Sustainability

In January 2023, Neoenergia inaugurated the first microgrid system in Brazil with 100% renewable energy, in the Xique-Xique community, located in the municipality of Remanso, in the interior of Bahia. The Research, Development and Innovation Program initiative benefited more than 100 homes, in addition to a school, an artesian community well, and a residents' association.

The microgrid solution is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations (UN) to which Neoenergia is committed, especially number 7, a priority for the company because it provides for the supply of clean and affordable energy.

In this pioneering project, a solution will be implemented for the production of green hydrogen, a fuel with very low environmental impact, from photovoltaic solar energy, for application in vehicle supply. The project is in line with the commitment made by Neoenergia in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDGs 7 and 13, which deal with clean and sustainable energy, as well as action against global climate change.

Neoenergia initiated, in 2022, a Program for the Conservation of Lear's Blue Macaw, involving cultural, technological, social and environmental aspects, at the Ecological Station of Raso da Catarina, Bahia. The R&D Project, regulated by ANEEL, entitled “Sustainable and eco-efficient solutions for the blue macaw living with the electricity grid” aims to develop and adapt technologies, materials and devices to promote favorable conditions for the interaction of the blue macaw with the electricity grid. The initiative takes into account the participation of local communities such as farmers, schools, researchers and NGOs, promoting environmental education actions to reinforce the importance of preserving and reducing resistance/opposition to living with the species in certain localities.

This initiative of the Neoenergia Research, Development and Innovation Program delivered, in November 2021, two unmanned robotic boats, one for the acquisition of liquid and solid discharges and monitoring of river sedimentation and the other for the collection of water quality data; a system for analyzing samples of solid discharges and an intelligent system for analyzing data and key curves. Thus, the products delivered to the project propose an optimized solution to comply with the provisions of Joint Resolution No. 03/2010 ANA/ANEEL, on the collection and measurement of hydrological data in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil, obtaining greater precision, reliability, safety and low cost in collecting the required data.

Green Corridor

The Green Corridor PDI project provided an extensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Northeast Region, with 17 charging stations installed and, as a result, provided the first electric corridor and the largest rapid charging electric highway in the North-Northeast, with a length of more than 1,200 km between Salvador (BA) and Natal (RN)

As part of this important PDI project, electric vehicle charging was also collected in a pioneering way in Brazil, which allowed the study of the price elasticity of demand and, consequently, the proposal of a business model for offering highway charging services to the public.

Green Trail

The Green Trail project, in Fernando de Noronha, aims to establish, in a sustainable way, solutions and business models for tourism activities, public services and the operation of Neoenergia Pernambuco. Electric vehicles and charging stations will be used, distributed in strategic locations on the island, ensuring supply through renewable sources with an energy storage system.

Electric Truck

An electric truck with an aerial drive basket, also electric, was developed for use in electricity distribution service activities. The new vehicle is the first in the country to have a system that allows charging directly into the electrical network, providing more efficiency and autonomy, as it does not require a return to the operating bases for possible recharging during the journey.

In addition, the truck has telemetry technology, which allows the monitoring of battery information and the routing of activities carried out by the distributors' Integrated Operations Centers. The trucks are being used at Neoenergia's operational bases, carrying out preventive activities in the electrical distribution networks and dealing with customer incidents.


Operational Efficiency

The GODEL PQA-900 is another product developed in a PDI project. The equipment is a Class A Qualmeter. In addition to meeting all the requirements of Distribution Procedures and international standards, this equipment differs from competitors by having the capacity to record continuous waveforms, without loss of information. Thus, technical analyses become more assertive, making it possible to provide customers with more complete answers about the quality of energy supply.
The GODEL PQA-900 is part of the GODEL Smart Grid Technology Family. Learn more here.

The GODEL Smart Sensor 69kV is a 69kV line monitoring equipment. Developed by Neoenergia in partnership with Lactec and Tecsys, the technology allows the detection of power outages in real time, consisting of a set of Sensor units and a concentrator unit called Remote, which are installed quickly, without the need for power interruption or live line equipment.
The Remote unit receives the data from each of the Sensors via radio frequency, and sends them to the Operations Center and to the engineering system through the DNP 3.0 protocols and the WEB protocol (proprietary).
The equipment is capable of grouping up to 6 sensors per concentrator unit. It also features remote firmware configuration and update, permanent fault light, communication, and local access via Bluetooth.
With the GODEL Smart Sensor 69kV, it is possible to monitor, among others:

  • Transient absence by phase and by group

  • Permanent absence by phase and by group

  • Relaunch and Shutdown (per phase)

  • Current surge

  • Flow reversal

  • Current (RMS per phase)

  • Module and angle phase A, B, and C

The GODEL Smart Sensor 69kV is part of the GODEL Smart Grid Technology Family. Learn more here.

Started in June 2023, the project for the construction and installation of Saturated Core Reactors (RNS) aims at dynamic voltage regulation in electricity distribution networks (34.5 kV), in order to comply with the electrical supply standards established by the Regulatory Agency at the points of connection with consumers.

Conventional voltage regulators, based on taps switching under load, have limitations mainly due to their high response time, not being sufficient, in some cases, to meet customer needs.

The saturated core reactor overcomes this limitation by providing a practically instantaneous performance, mitigating the effects of short-duration voltage variations (VTCDs) due to grid failures and variations in intermittent solar generation. It also contributes to the reduction of technical losses in high-extension systems at the level of 34.5 kV by reducing capacitive currents in the circuit.

The top-of-the-series phase advances the use of technology, implementing improvements through optimization techniques, with a view to its standardization for pole installation and future market insertion. Saturated core reactors bring attractive costs, great robustness to environmental conditions, simplified installation and operation, reduced maintenance, dynamic performance, among other benefits.

Development of a prototype vehicle with an intelligent system for washing distribution network insulators depending on the salinity level. Quantity monitoring will be carried out to ensure safe operation (leakage current and safe distance to the network), with robot equipment for automated washing of the insulator and measuring the effectiveness of the washing, to be attached to the insulated arm.

The project for the use of drones in inspections of Neoenergia's distribution and transmission networks is under way. The initiative, which is part of the Research, Development and Innovation Program, stands out for incorporating several technologies, in a modularized way, such as inspection, registration, thermovision, 3D mapping and georeferencing. All of this, with two important differentials not yet available in the electricity sector: analysis of vegetation growth in a mobile environment and study of the corona effect, which make it possible to identify the need for tree pruning and the overheating of the lines, respectively. In addition, the equipment will have innovative drone self-charging technology to increase its operating autonomy. The project also has an integrated intelligent management system, which will serve to unify the modules of all technologies.

To solve the maintenance, cost and implementation time challenges of conventional Underground Substations, this R&D project aims to develop, deploy and evaluate on site a new Underground Substation model, with a voltage class of 13.8kV, characterized by the distribution of underground electrical energy at medium and low voltage.
This substation developed in the project is fully automated and telesupervised, operating with a high level of automation, offering better operating conditions with lower technical losses and better operational safety aspects. The equipment has a hermetic, insulated and pressurized structure that allows a reduction in the cost of the equipment installed inside, in addition to providing several other benefits for energy utilities.

Development of pilot models of new transmission line foundations, from 88 kV to 500 kV. Two systems will be developed: one consisting of reinforced concrete shoes and tie rods anchored in the ground; and another consisting of helical piles injected, or not, crowned by a metal grid or precast block.

This initiative of the Neoenergia Group's Research, Development and Innovation Program aims to meet the demand for alternatives to existing foundations, many of which have a high implementation cost and are not very productive. Thus, the implementation of more efficient, intelligent and environmentally friendly technical-economic solutions is sought.

With the inclusion of wind and photovoltaic generation units in the Brazilian Electric System, discussions arise regarding the maintenance of electricity quality standards. The ONS (National System Operator) defines a series of limit values in order to meet voltage quality requirements. With regard to harmonic distortions, it should be noted that when the limits are exceeded, it is necessary to implement solutions for the share of responsibility of each agent. Thus, in July 2021, Neoenergia concluded this project of its Research, Development and Innovation Program, which developed mechanisms to determine the shares of responsibility for harmonic distortions between the parties involved, through the development of harmonic filters and software for this calculation.

Related news