What Robotics Means for Electric Utilities

Utilities Tech Outlook | Friday, February 28, 2020

The electric energy industry is eyeing robots as a means to enhance process efficiency and boost output.

FREMONT, CA: Robotics is changing nearly every industry, and the electric utility sector is no exception. Companies within the industry are using robotics to enhance efficiency, improve accuracy, and reduce costs related to the manufacturing and inspection of energy equipment.

In electric power sector robots have a vital role to play in the manufacturing of various equipment. Manufacturers typically prefer generic robots instead of highly specialized bots. This preference for generic robots is because of the highly dynamic nature of the energy sector due to constant technological advancements. Robots in the electric power sector are also being used for transportation and handling materials. For instance, hefty materials are heavy and complicated to be handled manually. Robots are better equipped against these challenges as a bot can precisely and quickly handle both light and heavy materials without damaging them. For instance, Pneumatic robots reduce the chances of damage to materials due to their fluid movement.

Many energy companies are also using robots to conduct inspections of equipment. Robots can quickly inspect assets, using cameras and infrared sensors in-built in them to detect damage. The use of robots reduces the time needed for inspections as compared to manually walking through the field to test assets. Some robots can also conduct repairs on equipment if inspections reveal a problem. Performing maintenance in this way requires minimal excavation and avoids disruption of service.

It can be concluded that robots simplify many of the complex manufacturing and handling tasks involved in the electric energy industry. Integrating robots into various operations will help electric utilities stay ahead of the curve.

See Also: Top APAC Robotics Solution Companies

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