Bay Area Innovators Unveil AI Platform to Predict Wildfire Risk at PG&E Innovation Pitch Fest
California Tech Innovators Compete for $25 Million PG&E Funding
Innovation Pitch Fest Draws Hundreds of Energy Sector Solutions
PG&E has recently concluded its second Innovation Pitch Fest, a vibrant platform where more than 57 organizations among 400+ applicants showcased innovative solutions for enhancing California’s energy and wildfire mitigation. One notable participant, a Fremont-based company, hopes to secure a portion of the $25 million funding on offer.
AI Platform Predicts Wildfire Risks with High Accuracy
Subarna Bhattacharyya, co-founder and CEO of Climformatics, shared the potential of their AI-driven platform, which predicts climate and extreme weather conditions well in advance. “Our models, trained on physics-based models, provide accurate forecasts far ahead of time,” Bhattacharyya explained.
Climformatics claims their AI can predict wildfire risk areas with a striking 95% accuracy. Highlighting its efficacy, Bhattacharyya noted a successful forecast made on May 1st for an extreme fire danger index in August, coinciding with the Mariposa fire, which began on August 26th.
Collaborations Backing AI Innovations
Supported by Google and partnering with UC Berkeley, Climformatics is poised for collaborative growth. The team includes Anant Mishra, a product manager with a background in entrepreneurship and technology, who is enthusiastic about advancing this AI platform.
PG&E’s Vision for Continuous Monitoring
Andrew Abranches, Vice President of PG&E Wildfire Mitigation, expressed interest in integrating innovative solutions from participants like Climformatics into current wildfire prevention strategies. “By bringing in diverse thoughts, we spark new ideas and dialogues,” Abranches stated.
PG&E’s goal is to implement continuous monitoring across California’s 5.5 million electric meters, identifying potential grid degradation to preemptively prevent wildfires.
- Utilizing continuous monitoring for grid assessment
- Incorporating new technologies for wildfire prevention
- Fostering partnerships to enhance energy sector solutions
The Road Ahead for Participants
Climformatics, along with other groups, aims to establish partnerships with PG&E to further their mission of safeguarding Californians. “It was a fantastic opportunity to present our technology,” Bhattacharyya remarked after their presentation. The outcome of the Pitch Fest, which will see five to ten groups advancing, is anticipated to be announced in October.
