Energy group Avangrid, a subsidiary of Spanish conglomerate Iberdrola, held the eighth edition of its Innovation Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bringing together key industry figures, academic researchers and specialised startups. The event took place at The Engine, a technology incubator founded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of a week focused on energy-related technological innovation.
Over 150 participants attended, including representatives from universities such as Harvard and MIT, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Discussions centred on the industrial application of solutions including battery storage, artificial intelligence analytics systems, dynamic power line monitoring, and robotics for substations.
Industrial partnerships and the challenge of energy resilience
In addition to the conferences, Avangrid hosted startup pitch competitions and organised a professional networking programme with students. These initiatives align with the company’s strategy to expand its technology portfolio while supporting the integration of emerging solutions into power grid operations. In 2024, the company invested $107mn in innovation projects, including collaborations with startups such as Tyba, LineVision and Boston Dynamics.
Highlighted pilot projects included improving high-voltage line resilience, automating substation operations and deploying advanced energy storage solutions. The stated objective is to enhance infrastructure development planning while reinforcing response capabilities during extreme events.
Critical technologies and startup recognition
A dedicated startup competition session led to the selection of Firescape, a company founded by former members of Sandia National Laboratories, specialising in predictive wildfire risk analytics. The company, based in Albuquerque, uses machine learning and remote sensing to help utility operators prevent disasters and manage on-site incident response.
The week concluded with a student recruitment initiative involving around 80 candidates from science-based academic programmes. These young professionals engaged with company leaders and explored career opportunities in energy grid modernisation and critical infrastructure management.
