EDP supports the implementation of i4case, a sensor that works as a fingerprint reader and measures parameters like blood oxygen levels and heart rate. Moreover, it transmits information to the doctors simultaneously. Developed by i4life, an Asturian startup that carries out investigation activities and scientific and technologic development, this system keeps the user in constant contact with the medical team, measuring his state of health and informing if the blood oxygen levels are too low and hospitalization is required.

This innovative project, promoted by the innovation area and EDP’s Foundation, also counts with the participation of SEMERGEN, the Spanish Society of Doctors in Primary Attention, which is the entity that will receive the devices and will be in charge of giving them to the people participating on the pilot study, 25 patients of the Spanish public health system. The European Center of Enterprises and Innovation also collaborates.

The characteristics of the i4case, that informs in case of a dangerous situation that requires hospitalization, make of it a favorable predictor for vulnerable patients with respiratory pathologies and for those positive in COVID-19 that are isolated in their households. The sensor enables to anticipate the attention and medical decisions.

The project expects to incorporate another device in the patient’s households that would measure the environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), in a way that data of both devices would allow to carry out correlation studies, getting to know if a household’s conditions impact health.

EDP Foundation is committed with the protection of vulnerable people and collaborates with several non-profit entities. In this sense, and as a consequence of the situation generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has adapted its activity temporally reorienting the focus of the projects that it supports, in order to help alleviating the consequences generated in the society by such pandemic.

For its part, through the innovation area, EDP counts with support programs of entrepreneurs with the goal of supporting initiatives of technological basis that have an innovative character within the energy sector and carrying out an accompanying of the startup enterprises through the different incubation and/or acceleration programs, like Starter Business Acceleration. Moreover, it counts with EDP Ventures Spain, an instrument of Venture Capital to invest in startups with growth potential.

This initiatives frames in the lines of action ESG (Environmental, Social and Governmental) that are established by EDP’s Strategic Plan for the 2021-2025 period, recently approved. This plan expects investments for the value of 24 000 million euros. The investments will focus on three main lines of action: growth in renewable energies, flexibility and intelligence in electric distribution networks, and engagement to design and offer more innovative solutions for their customers. This ambitious plan contributes to EDP’s goal of being 100% by 2030.