Antonio Ruano, CEO of Intelec: "The financial and technical support of CDTI Innovation and FEDER funds has helped us to professionalize our R&D in photovoltaics"

Since its creation in 2002 in Jaén, Intelec has traveled a path that reflects well the transformation of the energy sector itself in Spain. Born as a company oriented to offer engineering solutions in facilities and energy efficiency, it has progressively evolved towards a model in which technology and innovation occupy a central place. “Our vocation has always been to combine executive capacity with technological innovation,” explains Antonio Ruano, CEO of the company, who emphasizes that this transformation process “has led us to move from being an installation company to developing our own technology in the field of intelligent energy.”

Today, with more than 130 professionals and a network of collaborators that expands its operational capacity, Intelec concentrates practically all of its activity in the national market. Its specialization ranges from solar photovoltaic energy —including residential, industrial and large installations self-consumption solutions— to air conditioning, electric mobility or energy consultancy. In recent years, it has also strengthened its position in specific niches such as the floating photovoltaic with several projects executed in irrigation ponds.

This growth has been accompanied by an increasingly determined commitment to R+D+i. Initiatives such as SmartPhotolive, in collaboration with the University of Jaén, or the Simpred project itself mark a turning point in the company’s strategy. “We want to go one step further and become developers of our own technology, generating product, industrial property and new lines of business based on data and artificial intelligence,” says Ruano.

An expanding sector

Simpred’s origin is directly linked to a structural transformation of the photovoltaic sector. The accelerated growth of installed capacity worldwide has generated new needs that, until now, have not been fully met. “We are experiencing an unprecedented expansion. But that growth has come faster than the tools to keep the park in optimal condition,” warns Ruano.

In this context, one of the main problems detected is the persistence of reactive maintenance models. That is, interventions that occur when the fault has already occurred, with the consequent impact on energy production and the profitability of the facilities. “This causes production losses, makes the operation more expensive and reduces the return on investment,” he summarizes.

The situation is particularly critical in the case of small and medium-sized installations, which constitute a growing part of the photovoltaic park. Unlike large plants, these facilities do not usually have advanced monitoring systems due to their cost and complexity. “Today’s solutions are designed for large solar plants and are not cost-effective on a small scale. That has created a real technical vacuum,” he explains.

It is precisely in this space that Simpred is located: a project aimed at developing a predictive maintenance solution adapted to distributed facilities, especially in self-consumption environments.

Self-consumption as an opportunity

Simpred’s approach also responds to a strategic reading of the market. The segment of self-consumption —residential, commercial and small and medium-sized enterprises— is one of the fastest growing in Spain, but also one of those that presents the greatest deficiencies in terms of maintenance.

“It’s a huge, fragmented and neglected market, and that’s where the big innovation opportunities are,” says Ruano. Every year, thousands of new installations are incorporated, which, after their implementation, are in many cases left without adequate follow-up.

The project’s value proposition is based on reversing this situation through the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis. Among the expected benefits, Ruano highlights the improvement in energy production, the reduction of operating costs and the extension of the useful life of the equipment. “Detecting faults before they impact on generation allows us to make better use of the energy produced and plan interventions,” he says.

To this is added a key element in terms of job security: the reduction of unnecessary displacements. “On roofs, every technical visit that is avoided is a work height risk that is eliminated,” he says.

Intalations of the company Intelec

The challenge of data robustness

The development of a solution like Simpred is not without challenges. One of the main ones has to do with the availability and quality of the data necessary to train artificial intelligence systems.

“The challenge is to generate robust data sets in a park that has historically been poorly monitored,” explains Ruano. Small facilities, precisely those targeted by the project, often lack advanced data collection systems, making it difficult to identify patterns and anomalies.

To address this problem, Intelec has launched a strategy that combines the installation of specific sensoric with the development of automated fault tagging systems. “We are deploying environmental, electrical and thermal sensors in pilot facilities, as well as working with open protocols such as Modbus TCP or OPC UA to ensure interoperability,” he says.

In addition, the project contemplates the creation of a structured database that is, in itself, one of its main assets. This approach is supported by a multidisciplinary team that integrates technical knowledge, artificial intelligence capabilities and experience in real operation of facilities.

Collaboration with the University of Jaén

One of the distinguishing elements of Simpred is the close collaboration with the academic environment, in particular with the IDEA Group of the University of Jaén. This alliance allows us to combine scientific rigour with practical applicability, a key aspect in market-oriented R&D projects.

“The university provides theoretical depth and research capacity; the company provides plant knowledge and access to the end customer,” summarizes Ruano. In the specific case of this project, the IDEA Group participates in tasks such as the characterization of photovoltaic systems, the statistical analysis of variables or the simulation of maintenance scenarios.

This collaboration is not timely, but is part of a broader and more consolidated relationship between both entities, which includes other projects such as SmartPhotolive. According to Ruano, this type of synergies are fundamental to promote the transfer of knowledge and strengthen the innovative ecosystem.

Public support for greater territorial cohesion

The development of Simpred has been possible thanks to the support of the CDTI Innovation and the cofinancing of the FEDER funds, within the framework of the 2021-2027 programme. It is a project with a duration of 36 months and a budget close to half a million euros.

“For us, this support has been decisive. A company of our size could not take on a project of this technical ambition without an instrument such as the CDTI,” says Ruano. But beyond the financial aspect, the value of technical support also stands out: “The dialogue with the CDTI helps to organize the roadmap, define milestones and professionalize the R&D function within the company.”

From a broader perspective, Ruano highlights the impact of this type of financing on the entire innovative ecosystem. “It allows companies from territories such as Jaén to develop projects with European standards, generate industrial property and collaborate with universities,” he says. In his opinion, this model contributes to greater territorial cohesion and the creation of qualified employment, especially in strategic sectors such as the energy transition.

Office of the company Intelec

Sustainability and efficiency: impact on the 2030 Agenda

Simpred’s contribution to sustainability is articulated at several levels. Firstly, by optimizing the performance of photovoltaic installations, which translates into greater use of the clean energy generated. “Every hour that a panel operates below its capacity is renewable energy that is lost,” recalls Ruano.

Secondly, the predictive approach makes it possible to reduce the need for premature replacements and optimize the use of resources associated with maintenance. This includes both materials and displacements, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.

In this sense, the project is directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 13 (climate action). Improving energy efficiency, digitalizing the sector and reducing emissions are some of the vectors that articulate this contribution to the 2030 Agenda.

Paradigm Change in Solar Maintenance

Beyond its technical results, Simpred aims to bring about a deeper change in the way maintenance is conceived in the photovoltaic sector. “We want it to stop being seen as a cost and come to be understood as a lever for profitability and sustainability,” says Ruano.

Looking to the future, the company plans to consolidate this technology as a reference platform, with implementation in the national market and international projection. The strategy envisages its expansion to other countries with high photovoltaic development, as well as participation in European R&D programs.

“Five years from now, we would like predictive maintenance to be the standard for small plants as well, and Intelec has helped to make it possible,” he concludes. An objective that, if achieved, would not only strengthen the position of the company, but would also contribute to improving the efficiency and sustainability of the energy system as a whole.

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the CDTI provided more than 2 billion euros of support to Spanish companies and startups.

 
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