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The UZH spin-off ExoLabs is one of 15 winners of the EU’s Parsec Accelerator program. The program supports new products and projects that show great potential in the food, energy or environment sectors.
ExoLabs applied for the two-stage accelerator program with a joint project with Norwegian start-up Think Outside and UBIMET from Austria. The group will receive funding to the tune of EUR 110,000 as well as support for its innovative idea of using remote sensing to help hydropower operators generate energy in a more profitable manner.
“We want to provide hydropower operators with predictions for snowmelt and water inflow to help them generate energy in the most profitable manner,” says Reik Leiterer, co-founder of ExoLabs and academic associate at UZH’s Science Lab.
Snow is an important source of water for hydroelectric plants, as throughout the summer it provides meltwater that flows into water reservoirs. If the operators of a plant know precisely when and how much meltwater flows into their water reservoirs, they can optimize water retention – as well as power production. This also has a positive effect when it comes to finances. “With the ability to more accurately manage water resources in its reservoirs, a 500 MW hydroelectric plant can save up to half a million francs each year,” emphasizes Leiterer. However, this valuable information about the snow cover in the water reservoirs’ catchment area is currently still unavailable to many operators of hydropower plants.
ExoLabs, Think Outside and UBIMET thus joined forces to develop a snow monitoring and forecasting system that helps hydropower operators plan ahead. The three businesses’ different areas of expertise complement each other perfectly.
ExoLabs uses remote sensing as a tool to understand and monitor the influence of human activities on the environment. The UZH spin-off’s state-of-the-art data analysis techniques make it possible to simulate, evaluate and predict environmental changes.
This information about the environment is also of use to hydropower operators, as it presents, among other things, the spread and depth of snow cover as well as the amounts of water contained therein – in daily maps with a resolution of 20 meters.
These maps are enhanced by Norwegian start-up Think Outside. The company uses a specially developed sensor to measure the snow’s properties. “These precise data from the field enable us to calibrate and validate our satellite images and improve our product,” says Leiterer.
Meanwhile, UBIMET from Austria provides weather forecasts and calculates precipitation amounts in the form of snow. “This element also adds to our model – for example when heavy clouds make it difficult to read our satellite images,” says Leiterer. UBIMET can also forecast the relevant wind strengths and directions, which is important when it comes to snow distribution.
“Our collaboration and various fields of expertise enable us to develop a snow monitoring system that helps hydropower operators accurately predict how much meltwater flows into their water reservoirs,” summarizes Leiterer.
To launch their product on the market, the group is currently working on a market strategy that will be ready by the end of the year. In addition, they are planning to develop showcase projects with select companies. “As we’re offering a new service, we first need to have a few projects with hydropower operators under our belt, so that we can convince further potential clients,” says Leiterer. A first cooperation is already planned with Kraftwerke Oberhasli (KWO). In the medium term, the group also wants to break out onto the international stage. “Our model is scalable and has the potential to serve hydropower stations around the world, but there are over 130 hydropower plants relevant to us in Europe alone,” says Leiterer.
