Portuguese Fire Monitoring System Developed by REN and University of Coimbra Wins 2025 Gartner Innovation Award

Portuguese Fire Monitoring System Developed by REN and University of Coimbra Wins 2025 Gartner Innovation Award

(IN BRIEF) Natureye, an intelligent wildfire prevention and monitoring platform developed jointly by REN and ADAI at the University of Coimbra, has been recognised at the 2025 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards as one of the most impactful projects in the Power and Utilities sector across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The system uses over 80 multispectral cameras installed on high-voltage towers to oversee one million hectares of Portuguese forest, supported by AI-driven analytics and the CENTRODEC decision-support centre. Created within the Agenda Transform consortium, Natureye showcases how digital innovation can strengthen environmental resilience, enhance response times, and protect ecosystems from escalating fire risks.

(PRESS RELEASE) LISBON, 14-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais and ADAI (the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics) at the University of Coimbra have received international acclaim for Natureye, an advanced forest fire monitoring system that integrates artificial intelligence, sensor networks, and predictive analytics. The project was named one of the most innovative initiatives in the Power and Utilities category at the 2025 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards for the EMEA region, underscoring its role in transforming how Portugal monitors and responds to rural wildfires.

Developed under the Agenda Transform consortium, which unites 56 organisations across 30 projects to digitise Portugal’s forestry sector, Natureye provides a technologically advanced response to one of the country’s most persistent environmental challenges. The system employs more than 80 multispectral cameras mounted on REN’s high-voltage transmission towers, continuously observing over one million hectares of forest in regions most at risk of wildfires. These cameras feed real-time data into an intelligent monitoring network capable of detecting potential fire outbreaks with high accuracy.

At the core of the solution lies CENTRODEC, a decision-support centre based in Coimbra, where data from the surveillance network is validated and analysed. Through the use of predictive algorithms, CENTRODEC specialists can anticipate a fire’s potential trajectory, assess its behaviour, and coordinate early intervention strategies before situations escalate.

Recognised by Gartner for its practical impact and technological sophistication, Natureye exemplifies how digital transformation can protect natural ecosystems and communities. The award celebrates projects that bring tangible improvements to operations while creating long-term sustainability benefits.

REN described this recognition as a milestone in its continued pursuit of innovation and environmental responsibility. The company emphasized that Natureye demonstrates the power of collaborative innovation between the energy sector and research institutions to tackle real-world challenges. By aligning technology, data, and sustainability, REN aims to contribute to a more resilient and safer future for Portugal’s forests and rural communities.

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SOURCE: REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais