National Grid uses robots for interconnector maintenance
UK: National Grid has enlisted the help of high-tech robots for routine operation and maintenance activities at its interconnector sites.
Image for illustration purposes
UK: National Grid has enlisted the help of high-tech robots for routine operation and maintenance activities at its interconnector sites.
The company has recently finished a trial using Boston Dynamics’ Spot® robot to help with routine asset maintenance and fault detection across its UK interconnector converter sites including North Sea Link in Blyth.
It uses the latest technology to search out issues or potential issues with equipment by using state-of-the-art visual imaging, thermal imaging and acoustic imaging to find abnormalities as well as LiDAR for 3D scanning and mapping.
The machines can access areas human engineers cannot while the asset is operational – potentially reducing outage times and improving the asset availability and safety for engineers.
Data is collected in the same way each time, looking out for hot spots and incipient faults that need extra attention.
The company’s North Sea Link interconnector was among those taking part in the trial with robots spending three days at its converter site in Blyth, Northumberland.
“We are always looking at innovative ways to improve site safety and the availability of our assets. This trial has given us the chance to see whether using robots like this could be part of our maintenance programme in the future.
Interconnectors play a vital role in the UK’s energy system and last month National Grid Interconnectors had their busiest January on record with 2.6 TWh of power transported across the five cables between the UK and our partner countries,” said National Grid Interconnectors Operations Director Jon Davies.
Source: National Grid
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