Amidst rapid economic expansion, population growth and dwindling natural resources, utilities are being forced to do more with less. Digital technologies have had a big impact on creating new value, improving efficiencies and enhancing the performance of existing assets. Instead of making huge capital investments on replacing legacy assets, utilities are looking towards adopting cheaper digital methods to improve efficiency and create new opportunities from challenges that had plagued the sector. MR is one such emerging technology that is set to have a massive impact in enhancing human-related activities in the utility sector, from employees to customers.
MR synthesizes the real and digital worlds to produce new environments. The environments are designed to provide a digitally enhanced or altered version of reality. MR encompasses both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). AR overlays virtual objects into the real world for its users. VR takes its users into a fully digital environment. MR has already seen applications in industries like entertainment, education and medicine. Utilities have also been working on end-uses for MR.
The following sections outline various applications of MR to improve the efficiency of utilities:
MR-based training programs improve the quality and pace of upskilling employees
An entire generation of baby boomers is set to retire from the industry. There has also been an influx of new technologies in the utility sector. Utilities face enormous challenges when it comes to hiring a trained workforce capable of dealing with the future demands of a dynamic industry. MR, if employed properly, will have a massive impact on efficiently training the workforce. It will help ensure that workers are suitably prepared to tackle complex situations. This will help utilities save time and capital, while ensuring the safety of its workers.
VR places the employees in a simulated, three-dimensional work environment. Visual interactions with the workspace enables faster familiarisation with real-life scenarios. AR adds visual information to physical elements in the workplace. It helps the employees familiarise faster with complex instruments and machines. Conventional employee training methods are theoretical and abstract. MR enables a much more effective method of learning for utility workers.
Safer operations and maintenance of assets, streamlined to enhance customer satisfaction
Utilities face a significant challenge in managing diverse assets spread over vast distances, which are difficult or sometimes unsafe to access. AR can be used to add a layer of easily-accessible digital information on top of field assets through smartphones, tablets or smart glasses. In the event of power outages or damage to equipment, technicians can capture images and other details of the affected assets. Analysis of the data will help with finding possible solutions, while keeping technicians safe. Post data analysis, the parts required for rectifying any issues can be requested. The technical crew can be brought on-site immediately for repair.
Utilities manage grid assets by controlling and removing vegetation along the transmission and distribution lines. While several methods are currently employed for safe and environmentally-conscious vegetation management, to avoid interruptions or service disruptions, MR can make this process even more efficient. Using hands-free, AR-enabled heads-up devices help field technicians access historical data in real-time, through a voice-based interface. This enables smarter decisions on-the-go, and improve operational efficiency. Through MR, repair and maintenance operations can be performed faster, with more efficient resource allocation. Assets can be brought online sooner in the event of an outage. Assets can be maintained efficiently to prevent unnecessary outages from happening in the first place. This will improve customer satisfaction and system performance.
MR delivers high-level technical expertise in real-time to aid field technicians with complex issues
Field technicians are often left facing complex or unknown issues on-site. It restricts their ability to complete the job without some external help. MR provides technicians, access to information (manuals and videos) to help them deal with the problem. The technology allows them to connect with remote experts on the issue, in real-time. Audio/video capabilities are leveraged to get the job done much faster. MR technology allows for the presence of a “digital twin” – a virtual clone of a living being. Imagine a situation in which a digital twin of an SME can be brought online during field activities to guide technicians through challenging maintenance, or repair procedures. This also helps utilities retain the knowledge of experienced industry professionals who have retired from the workforce. It helps ensure a smooth transition to a new generation of employees without disruptions to daily operations.
Potential benefits of MR outweigh the barriers that exist to the widespread adoption of the technology
Significant barriers stand in the way of widespread adoption of MR in the utility space. Slow rates of technology adoption, security concerns and a lack of universal internet connectivity are some of the issues that have to be solved before this technology can become a commercial reality for utilities. MR has the potential to add significant value to the utility sector, where such opportunities did not exist in the past. The adoption of MR technology has slowly increased across utilities in recent years. The spectrum of possibilities that MR provides could be the injection of innovation that global utilities have been on the lookout for.
