In partnership with Beta-i Brazil, a corporate innovation specialist, Energy Systems Catapult is launching an open innovation programme between Brazil and the UK with the aim of harnessing innovation to help Brazilian utilities tackle challenges faced by the country’s electricity sector.  

The challenge

Both climate change, and the associated energy transition, are imposing different pressures on the Brazilian electricity sector. After extensive engagement with Brazilian utilities, the Catapult has chosen to address the following challenges:

• The proliferation of distributed generation (DG) has caused deleterious impacts on the grid. To tackle this, we will work with our utility partners to optimise engineering planning to reduce DG’s negative impacts on the grid. 

• Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. This causes equipment defects on network, due to power surges, transmission line tower collapses, and damage to substations. This programme aims to move from the current approach to managing these risks, which is mostly reactive, to an approach based on prediction and prevention.  

Brazil is a global leader in renewable energy with a strong commitment to sustainable energy practices. The Brazilian electricity system shares similarities with the UK’s, particularly in its move towards market deregulation. This parallel suggests that proven UK solutions can effectively address Brazil’s current energy sector needs. By leveraging these synergies, the programme aims to foster collaborative innovation to drive decarbonisation and mitigate climate change impacts. 

The project is committed not only to driving technological advancement but also to promoting knowledge exchange and long-term collaborative relationships between the innovation ecosystems of Brazil and the UK. 

Aims of the programme: 

Collaboration and knowledge exchange: Bridging the gap between UK-based innovators and Brazilian utilities to foster long-term collaborative relationships and knowledge sharing. 

Private sector engagement: Encouraging the private sector to scale up successful innovations and support sustainable energy solutions. 

Global leadership and strategic partnerships: Enhancing the role of UK innovation in global clean energy leadership and establishing strong bilateral relationships to address climate change and build resilience.