On Tuesday, startup AiDash revealed that it has raised an additional $50 million in funding. AiDash uses AI and satellites to detect weather and fire hazards on power lines.

AiDash, a California startup firm that uses satellites and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify weather and fire hazards on power lines, announced on Tuesday that it had raised $50 million in fresh funding. This news is indicative of Silicon Valley's efforts to develop solutions that aid energy businesses in adapting to climate change.

After major fires were started by power lines and weather events brought down lines, power utilities are under pressure to reduce the dangers of forest fires and storm-based disruptions. Simultaneously, loads on the grid are anticipated to increase as fossil fuels are replaced by electricity in applications like residential heat pumps and electric automobiles.

According to data from researcher PitchBook, hundreds of startups and small businesses provide services and technology targeted at enhancing forest management, wildfire and forest-fire detection and response, and other related services. 

Using artificial intelligence (AI), AiDash scans satellite photos for issues and modifications along power utility electric transmission lines, including areas where vegetation has grown and potential tree encroachment. Additionally, businesses that must comply with new biodiversity reporting requirements are using technology to assist in the creation of surveys.

After utilizing the system to determine maintenance priorities on its Massachusetts grid, National Grid, an AiDash customer and investor that owns networks in the UK and the US, reported quantifiable improvements in reducing the frequency and length of outages.