Partnering Up with ESB to Protect Ireland’s Energy Infrastructure
Ireland’s energy grid is facing an unexpected challenge—woodpeckers. These small but persistent birds are causing significant damage to wooden utility poles, jeopardizing critical power infrastructure and the reliable flow of electricity to homes and businesses. In response to this growing problem, Gridguard is excited to announce a pilot partnership with ESB to implement our innovative sensor-based solution designed to detect and deter woodpeckers before they cause costly damage.
The Growing Problem of Woodpecker Damage
Recent reports, including an article from TheJournal.ie, highlight the increasing issue of woodpeckers pecking holes into utility poles across Ireland. These birds drill into wooden poles to establish nesting sites, often leading to structural weakening and potential pole failures. This not only poses a safety risk but also results in expensive repairs and service disruptions for electricity providers like ESB.
Recognizing the urgent need for a proactive solution, ESB has partnered with Gridguard to test our GridScout technology — an advanced, real-time detection and deterrence system designed to outsmart woodpeckers while preserving critical infrastructure.
How GridScout Works
Our solution is a game-changer in infrastructure protection. Mounted on utility poles, GridScout follows a five-step process to detect, deter, and relocate woodpeckers:
- Detection – When a woodpecker begins drumming on a utility pole to mark its territory, GridScout’s advanced sensors recognize the drumming pattern and identify the species.
- Deterrent Activation – If the woodpecker starts pecking a nesting hole, the system automatically triggers nearby units to play warning calls and drumming sounds of the same species.
- Confusion & Distraction – The woodpecker, thinking it has an unseen rival, responds by drumming or calling back—interrupting its excavation efforts.
- Relocation – As repeated distractions prevent progress, the woodpecker abandons the utility pole and moves to a nearby tree instead.
- Data & Optimization – The system records drumming activity, pecking attempts, and deterrent effectiveness, providing valuable insights for continuous improvement.
Why This Partnership Matters
Our collaboration with ESB marks an important step in safeguarding Ireland’s power infrastructure against nature’s unexpected challenges. By integrating GridScout into ESB’s network, we are not only helping to mitigate damage but also contributing to cost savings, service reliability, and a more sustainable approach to infrastructure protection.
This pilot program is a testament to ESB’s commitment to innovation and Gridguard’s mission to provide cutting-edge solutions that protect critical assets. As we move forward with testing and data collection, we are optimistic that this partnership will pave the way for a nationwide deployment of our technology.
Looking Ahead
At Gridguard, we believe that technology and nature can coexist harmoniously. Our partnership with ESB is just the beginning of a smarter, more efficient approach to infrastructure protection. We look forward to sharing insights from this pilot program and continuing our efforts to ensure the integrity of power networks—not just in Ireland, but around the world.
For more updates on this partnership and other Gridguard innovations, stay tuned to our blog and follow us on LinkedIn.