Maria Ubierna Aparicio
Helping utilities reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving water quality, using satellite earth observation data and machine learning to turn reservoirs into a climate asset.
Project
Open Hydro
URL
Year founded
2022
Business stage
Seed
High-growth sectors
Digital and Technologies
Sector
Sustainability
Location
London
Funding
Highly Commended Applicant
The problem and opportunity
Water utilities and hydropower operators need to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their reservoirs. They rely on static emission factors and infrequent studies that fail to capture real-world conditions or the drivers behind emissions. Without accurate, continuous monitoring, utilities cannot prioritise interventions, demonstrate the environmental impact of nature-based solutions, or unlock climate investment in freshwater restoration.
The solution and innovation
We have developed a satellite-enabled platform combined with a machine-learning environmental model to provide continuous, asset-level carbon intelligence for reservoirs and lakes. Our platform helps organisations measure and understand greenhouse gas emissions, identify opportunities to reduce them while improving water quality and lowering treatment costs, and measure the impact of interventions, laying the foundation for future freshwater carbon market.
Market and ambition
We serve UK water utilities and Brazilian hydropower operators, with growing opportunities in natural capital and water stewardship. Our ambition is to become the leading freshwater carbon intelligence platform in Europe, scaling towards digital monitoring, reporting and verification (dMRV) platform for carbon markets.
Founder perspective
María Ubierna is a civil engineer with an MSc, passionate about reservoirs and turning research into practical climate solutions. After leading international work on hydropower sustainability and climate change, she co-founded Open Hydro to accelerate climate action in freshwater and build a more resilient, net-zero future.
Women in Innovation Award
Highly commended applicant of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2025/26, receiving tailored business support, and access to specialist training and networks. View all winners and highly commended applicants from the Women in Innovation cohort 2025/2026.