Team EcoPulse

Problem: How can we expand and modernize energy transmission infrastructure without harming the environment? Current grid development often overlooks long-term ecological impacts. We need data-driven, scalable solutions that align transmission planning with ecosystem preservation over the next 50 years.

Solution: We propose a decision-support platform using remote sensing, GIS, and AI to assess ecological sensitivity and optimize power grid routes. By integrating open data (Copernicus, CORINE, ÚSES, ZABAGED), our tool identifies low-impact zones for expansion and ensures long-term harmony between infrastructure and nature.

Impact: Our solution minimizes environmental disruption, guiding ČEPS toward sustainable grid expansion. It supports long-term planning, protects biodiversity, and promotes public trust. By leveraging open data and AI, it empowers evidence-based decisions that balance energy needs with ecosystem health for generations to come.

Feasibility & financials: The solution uses existing open datasets and scalable cloud-based tools, minimizing upfront costs. Development can begin with a pilot in a selected region using free platforms (e.g., QGIS, Google Earth Engine). With expert support from ČEPS, it’s viable within months, offering long-term savings by avoiding costly environmental conflicts and redesigns.

What is new about your solution?: Our solution uniquely combines remote sensing, AI, and ecological datasets to proactively guide sustainable grid development. Unlike traditional methods, it dynamically maps environmental sensitivity and long-term impact, enabling ČEPS to plan infrastructure that coexists with nature—not after damage is done, but before it's caused.

What you have built at the hackathon - text explanation + code (e.g. GitHub link): We developed a prototype web-based platform that identifies environmentally suitable zones for future power grid expansion. Using Copernicus satellite imagery, CORINE Land Cover, and ÚSES data, we implemented a geospatial model that integrates ecological constraints. The platform features interactive map visualizations and a simple user interface for planners. https://github.com/Jeevanmerkaji/Grid-Green

What you had before the hackathon, please mention open source as well: Before the hackathon, we had foundational knowledge in GIS, remote sensing, and AI, along with experience using open-source tools like QGIS, Google Earth Engine, and Python libraries (e.g., GeoPandas, Scikit-learn). We also gathered and reviewed open datasets such as Copernicus, CORINE Land Cover, ÚSES, and ZABAGED. However, no prototype or codebase existed prior to the event—everything was built during the hackathon.

What comes next and what you wish to achieve: We plan to refine the platform with more accurate ecological models, expand coverage across the Czech Republic, and integrate feedback from ČEPS experts. Our goal is to deliver a scalable, policy-ready tool that guides sustainable grid development and becomes a core part of ČEPS’s long-term planning strategy.