Methodology
The processing pipeline
Generating country-wide maps involved several key steps outlined below and discussed in detail:
- Download imagery for Pakistan, Zambia, and Nigeria after obtaining country boundaries and computing tile indices.
- Train a machine learning model to compute the probability that a HV tower was present. Then, apply the model at a country-wide scale.
- Compile the highest probability results into a GeoJSON map overlay that indicated the most likely HV tower locations.
- Trace HV infrastructure (specifically towers, lines, and substations) using the ML-derived overlay to focus on high-value areas.