Our approach to AI-assisted virtual inspections is different. We have an asset centric approach to all of our solutions and build your image-based digital asset while you inspect as we know that data can support grid owners in their operations.
What is an image-based digital asset?
This is a digital representation of your physical grid linking your asset to your asset data, inspection data, images, meta data and grid topology.
Why would you need this data?
You may not have easy access to this image-based data today in your core IT systems. This data gives you another dimension of insight into your physical grid, the mechanical state of your grid through structured and tagged photos linked to inspection data, grid topology, meta data and a clear audit trail.
We hear from utilities that images taken of their grid by field crew is often not tagged, unstructured, not linked to an asset and difficult to access. If there are images, they are on a USB stick somewhere, on someone’s mobile phone or in a database that takes ages to load.
What value can an image-based digital asset give you?
From working with 50+ utilities globally we have seen our customers utilize the image-based digital asset in Grid Vision® in various ways and have summarized the top 10 common use cases below:
1. Improved capital planning
Our customers have now based their investment plans on accurate asset data and risk. Supporting them to prioritize their capital planning.
2. Decreased unplanned outage time
Utilizing Grid Vision as part of the outage management process to check the impacted assets and then plan the correct tools and expertise before going on site has seen our customers decrease CAIDI by 28% (43 mins).
3. Identifying common vulnerabilities
Our customers have saved hours from eliminating field visits by identifying assets at risk within Grid Vision at a desk within hours instead of days.
4. Supporting emergency maintenance
Providing Grid Vision to emergency response teams to check for structure types before sending out the crew to the field has saved our customers time and shortened time to restore grid faults.
5. Wildfire mitigation
Multiple customers are using Grid Vision to identify assets at risk from wildfire within hours by searching for components at risk at a desk and providing the visual data to field crews to go and fix.
6. Supporting regulatory reporting and major incidents
Our customers are using Grid Vision to confirm the state of an asset before an incident for root cause analysis and regulatory reporting.
7. Improving situational awareness and business decision
Our customers are using Grid Vision in virtual meetings with leaders to demonstrate challenges with projects.
8. Maintenance & planning
Grid Vision is used by maintenance teams to identify inventory, materials, skills, right of way before going on site.
9. Siting land rights
For new builds, our customers are checking Grid Vision to confirm any siting land rights for new projects. One of our customers identified an undocumented family cemetery on a potential new substation site.
10. Maintenance strategy
Grid Vision is used to support maintenance strategies, one of our customers identified assets failing before end of design life through Grid Vision. This insight helped them to re-prioritize their maintenance strategy to avoid unplanned asset failures.
By leveraging Grid Vision’s image-based digital asset, our customers are unlocking multiple core use cases and saving their teams time, improving safety, reducing costs across multiple departments and improving grid resiliency.
We do more than provide virtual inspections, we start with the asset itself and link the data that is needed to support your asset management processes.
Thinking of making the transition? Contact us today to start your journey.
Repower which produces and distributes power to more than 48,000 customers in Switzerland, has partnered with eSmart Systems to digitalize and automate their grid inspection process. The program will utilize eSmart Systems’ Grid Vision® solution, which supports the full inspection and maintenance workflow with AI.
- Transitioning Repower’s grid inspections from manual to automated powered by AI.
- Grid Vision AI-supported software will be used to inspect their HV and MV grid.
- eSmart Systems will deliver inspection services for Repower AG’s overhead lines over the course of the partnership.
This partnership will enable Repower to provide safer, more accurate and efficient inspections that will provide greater visibility into their grid assets to support their asset management strategies for grid resiliency and reliability to support growing demand and transition to low carbon generation.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems will deliver the program as an inspection as a service and will utilize drones for the image capture with automated flight patterns to ensure the data is captured consistently and accurately with improved safety. For this program the actual grid inspection will be conducted within Grid Vision powered by AI and eSmart Systems will be working with regional drone operators for the image capture.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. With our software solution Grid Vision® we revolutionize how utility companies operate and maintain transmission and distribution networks. eSmart Systems offers a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections that can be managed from a single platform. We support companies worldwide by ensuring reduced costs, safer inspections, and prolonged asset life.
About Repower
Repower is an international energy utility with its operational headquarters in Poschiavo. (Graubünden, Switzerland). Repower has been operating as an electricity producer, distribution grid operator and energy trader for more than 100 years. Its key markets are Switzerland and Italy.
Repower builds, operates and maintains distribution grids, substations, transformer stations, kiosks and supply lines right up to the house connection in Prättigau/Rhine Valley, Engadine/Valposchiavo and Surselva. The total length of the grid managed by Repower is around 3,000 kilometres.
Everyone is talking about virtual inspections, flying drones to capture grid assets and using AI to support all of this. But how do you ensure a ROI from this transition? By asking the right questions from the start.
Lets be clear not all virtual inspections are the same! We have been delivering virtual inspections assisted by AI for over 10 years and see time and time again utilities not being successful with their approach by not comparing apple to apples when comparing vendors and not asking the right questions of their teams when they want to implement these programs.
Questions you should be asking when transitioning to virtual inspections so you are successful.
- What problems are you trying to solve?
- What is your success criteria?
- What is the long-term strategy of transitioning to virtual inspections?
- Have you got the right data capture methodology?
- What data are you collecting when in the field – every asset or just assets impacted?
- Will the images you capture work for the software you are using and for the inspector?
- Have you got the right virtual inspection software?
- Have you got the right skills inhouse to make this successful?
- How is AI applied to improve the business process?
- How will you train the AI?
- How do you future proof your AI?
- How do you ensure consistency across your inspections?
- How will you process all the images you capture?
- Once have your inspection results what will you do?
- What is your strategy for the image-based data you are collecting in the field?- If you are collecting it and paying for you should use it.
- How will you future proof your investment?
If you apply virtual inspections to just replace your routine inspection cycle that is a great start and will definitely improve your safety, give you a great inspection report to go out and fix the issues. You can repeat and rinse this method over and over but it is still based on time and you would be missing out on the bigger return on investment.
If you transition to virtual inspections with your wider asset management team involved and link the program to your asset management strategy and also focus on the image-based data, that is where you see the biggest return – moving away from time-based inspections to risk of assets.
If you are investing in going out and collecting data in the field, make it count and get your return.
Contact us today to find out more.
Many workers’ roles have changed and evolved with the adaptation of emerging technologies. Inspectors, who are responsible for the conditional assessment of critical infrastructure like power grids, are no different. A virtual inspection is an inspection conducted while being physically away from the asset, meaning that virtual inspections leverage technology to fill the physical gaps. The inspector is still a human being, but safely distanced from the equipment. Let’s look at the role of the virtual inspector. We have summarized 6 main points on what differentiates the role of a virtual inspector.
1. Inspection at a desk
The role of a virtual inspector is to conduct the grid inspection at a desk using inspection software. With this type of inspection, they do not need to physically go and visit the asset. Software that has built-in inspection workflow can provide consistency and objectivity and provide the inspector with the business rules required to conduct the inspection based on the utilities standards and defect catalogue.
2. Images substituting for reality
The virtual inspector leverages visual data; images – captured out in the field for the virtual inspection. The images need to give the inspectors a full 360o view of the asset, as the visual inspection is a substitute for physically examining the assets.
If your image-capture methodology is not right you could end up giving the inspector too many images to view per asset, duplication or poor-quality images that makes it near impossible to identify defects and makes the inspection method inefficient.
3. Assistance by Artificial Intelligence
Most people have probably experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed and bored when performing a monotone task repeatedly. Imagine manually processing and linking 100 000 images to the correct asset, putting in the right coordinates and the relevant asset information. Pretty boring, right?
Artificial Intelligence can change that. An AI assistant will not get tired of doing repeatable tasks at scale, it is what it does best. By leveraging purpose-built AI software, virtual inspectors do not have to spend time on processing and linking images to assets manually, the AI will do it automatically. AI can also automate inventory and make a first pass at defect detection enabling the inspector to focus on high value tasks and save valuable time.
4. More time to conduct the inspection
With a virtual inspection the inspector can really take their time and view the asset structure from top to bottom and potentially identify more defects than when out in the field. When in the field you are going from asset to asset in different weather conditions and terrains. Here you are at the comfort of your desk and can zoom right into an asset.
5. Inspection reporting
No longer do inspectors have to manually note down defects or produce an inspection report. Inspection software can provide inspection reporting automatically and advanced software can also provide APIs into your core systems and automate your inspection results. This means that the inspector just has to focus on the task at hand: conducting the visual inspection.
Final thoughts
With skills shortage in the industry, tightening of budgets and needing to get more out of existing infrastructure, grid operators need to evaluate and adopt new strategies, technology and methodologies to their inspection programs.
Virtual inspections are an effective way to conduct routine inspections and can provide utilities with an additional tool in their inspection tool box. It also means that experienced inspectors can focus on high value tasks, where their skills and experience make a true difference.
We provide a flexible approach to virtual inspections, from working with customers to train their own inspectors to providing full end-to-end inspection services.
Thinking of making the transition? Contact us today!
eSmart Systems, a leading provider of AI-powered services and solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure, has signed a partnership with Naya, a Norway-based company with an all-female organization in Dehradun, India, created to ensure the ethical labelling of AI.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
For AI to work successfully for infrastructure inspections it needs a lot of training and annotations. With the rapid growth in the AI market, organizations are using a lot of services that are unethical where employees are underpaid with extremely low wages and inadequate working conditions. Naya looks to address this by providing services conducted by women in India in a safe environment, giving them opportunities for growth, educational development and to foster brighter futures for young women.
At eSmart Systems as part of our commitment to sustainability and our core values, we are not only measured by what value we create, but by how we create it. Ensuring we deliver solutions in the most ethical and sustainable way is of upmost importance. We are delighted to be partnering with Naya and look forward to seeing the positive impact of our partnership. This initiative also supports our ambition to contribute to the goals of UN Global Compact, and aligns with the values of our owners for contributing to diversity and opportunity for everybody.
The partnership will see eSmart Systems and Naya working together on eSmart Systems’ Grid Vision® solution and will accelerate the growth of AI models and performance of those models, which will deliver value to their customers by reducing inspection costs, improving inspection safety, improving accuracy of asset data and prolonging asset life. The work will be performed in accordance with the high information security standard set up by the eSmart Systems Management System (Certified according to ISO 27001:2022).
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. With our software solution, Grid Vision® we revolutionize how utility companies operate and maintain their transmission and distribution grids. We support utilities globally to reduce inspection costs, make inspections safer, improve the quality of asset data and prolong asset life by providing an image-based digital inventory representing all physical grid assets. eSmart Systems has more than 20 years of international experience in establishing and operating knowledge-based, leading IT and energy-related companies targeting global markets.
About the Naya
Naya is a social impact startup that combines social sustainability and AI development by employing women from Indian slum areas. We offer high-quality annotation services to customers developing machine-learning models and NAYA employs impoverished women from slum areas (currently in Northern India) to complete the annotation tasks.
Our Indian colleagues are given dignified work, proper pay, and an opportunity to break out of generational poverty. Naya operates from its main office in Dehradun, India, comprising a team of 10 skilled professionals, with our headquarters situated in Trondheim, Norway. We specialize in serving the European and Norwegian markets. Recognized for our expertise, we were awarded 1 million NOK by Innovation Norway in April 2023. For more information visit: https://www.naya.no/
Grid operators have been inspecting their critical infrastructure using proven methods for years, but with a skill shortage in the industry, tightening of budgets and need to get more out of existing infrastructure, grid operators need to evaluate and adopt new strategies, technology and methodologies.
Limitations with current grid inspection methods
Traditional grid inspection methods can demand heavy machinery and a significant workforce on foot patrol or by helicopter. These inspection methods are established and work but are time consuming, manual, labour intensive, dangerous and can be subjective.
The majority of traditional inspection methods tend to be reactive with a find-and-fix approach and most methods are lacking digital documentation and automation within the process. On top of it, these methods are often just focused on capturing data for high priority defects and are prone to human bias and subjectiveness.
How can AI-assisted virtual inspections help grid operators?
AI-assisted virtual grid inspections can support grid operators in addressing some of these challenges and if done right can be an important inspection method in their toolbox. AI-assisted virtual inspections can support grid operators to:
1. Reduce cost and improve safety with less people out in the field, walking the line, climbing structures, or flying helicopters. Virtual inspections can minimize the risk of worker accidents by keeping people out of harm’s way as the asset data can be captured in a safe manner, distanced away from the physical structure using high quality camera technology.
2. Improve consistency and objectivity of inspections with a built-in inspection workflow.
3. Optimize efficiency and productivity of staff by focusing their activities on high value work and letting the AI do the manual and repetitive tasks such as component and defect detection, automating image to asset linking and asset inventory.
4. Potentially identify more defects as the data is collected in the field but the inspection is done remotely, the inspector has more time to view the structure from different perspectives and identify defects of varying priority.
5. Reduce the number of grid incidents and potential outages with higher precision of detecting defects and the ability to identify common vulnerabilities using the image-based digital asset.
6. Improve capital planning by using accurate, objective image-based inspection data that provides insights into the mechanical health of the grid and support your teams to make decisions based on risk of asset and not based on time.
7. Support knowledge retention by digitalizing information on assets and inspection data with an audit trail within inspection software.
8. Reduce OpEx by providing the visual data from virtual inspections (if structured correctly) to wider teams, enabling them to conduct more work from the desk than going out in the field.
9. Get more out of existing infrastructure, new grid infrastructure takes 5 to 15 years to plan, permit and complete. In the meantime, operators must deploy limited OpEX in a targeted way to maintain and inspect the existing grid. Utilities can use the inspection data from virtual inspections that is now digitized and more accurate to support their spending and inspection programs based on risk.
Ready to add visual inspections to your inspection program? Contact us today to start your journey.
Why not watch our webinar on virtual T&D inspections to:
- Learn what virtual inspections are.
- Discover how they fit into utilities’ current processes and how they can be scaled.
- Uncover virtual inspection pitfalls and benefits that can be achieved.
Repower produziert und verteilt Strom an mehr als 48’000 Kundinnen und Kunden in der Schweiz und hat sich mit eSmart Systems zusammengetan, um ihren Netzinspektionsprozess zu digitalisieren und zu automatisieren. Das Programm wird die Softwarelösung Grid Vision® von eSmart Systems nutzen, die den gesamten Inspektionsworkflow mit KI unterstützt und gleichzeitig digitalisiert.
- Umstellung der Netzinspektionen von Repower von manuell auf automatisiert mit KI.
- Die KI-gestützte Software von Grid Vision wird verwendet, um ihr Hoch- und Mittelspannungsnetz zu inspizieren.
- eSmart Systems wird im Rahmen der Partnerschaft Inspektionsdienstleistungen für die Freileitungen der Repower AG erbringen.
Diese Partnerschaft wird es Repower ermöglichen, sicherere, genauere und effizientere Inspektionen durchzuführen, die einen besseren Einblick in ihr Hoch- und Mittelspannungsnetz bieten, um ihre Asset-Management-Strategien für Netzstabilität und -zuverlässigkeit zu unterstützen. Damit wird Repower gewappnet sein, den wachsenden Ansprüchen an das Netz zu genügen und den Übergang zu einer kohlenstoffarmen Erzeugung zu unterstützen.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems wird das Programm als Inspektionsdienstleistung anbieten. Hierbei werden Drohnen für die Bilderfassung mit automatisierten Flugmustern eingesetzt, um sicherzustellen, dass die Datenpräzision und -Konsistenz, sowie die Arbeitssicherheit gewährleistet und optimiert wird.
Die Inspektion der Repower Freileitung wird mittels der KI gestützten Software Grid Vision, durchgeführt. Die Inspektionsergebnisse werden innerhalb der Grid Vision aufbereitet und digitalisiert. eSmart Systems wird zusätzlich einen regionalen Drohnenbetreiber für die Bildaufnahme mittels automatisierter Flugmuster schulen.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
Über eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems ist ein führender Anbieter von KI-gestützten Lösungen für die Inspektion und Wartung kritischer Infrastrukturen. Mit unserer Softwarelösung Grid Vision revolutionieren wir die Art und Weise, wie Versorgungsunternehmen Übertragungs- und Verteilungsnetze betreiben und warten. eSmart Systems bietet einen datengesteuerten und zustandsbasierten Ansatz für Infrastrukturinspektionen, der von einer einzigen Plattform aus verwaltet werden kann. Wir unterstützen Unternehmen weltweit, indem wir für reduzierte Kosten, sicherere Inspektionen und eine längere Lebensdauer der Anlagen sorgen.
Über Repower
Repower ist ein international tätiges Energieversorgungsunternehmen mit operativem Hauptsitz in Poschiavo. (Graubünden, Schweiz). Repower ist seit mehr als 100 Jahren als Stromerzeugerin, Verteilnetzbetreiberin und Energiehändlerin tätig. Die wichtigsten Märkte sind die Schweiz und Italien.
Repower baut, betreibt und unterhält Verteilnetze, Unterwerke, Trafostationen, Verteilkabinen und Versorgungsleitungen bis zum Hausanschluss im Prättigau/Rheintal, im Engadin und in der Surselva. Die Gesamtlänge des von Repower verwalteten Netzes beträgt rund 3’000 Kilometer.
eSmart Systems, a global leader in AI-based solutions for inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure, signs a contract with Alliander, to increase safety and optimize asset utilization within their existing energy network.
The contract, with a minimum value of 10 million euro, covers an Inspection as a Service (IaaS) solution for Alliander, one of the largest energy network distributors in The Netherlands.
The AI-supported service includes a full image-based digital inventory of all Alliander’s ~60.000 substations and cable cabinets, used to secure full regulatory compliance and safety to the public for all of their assets.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
eSmart Systems’ AI-supported software will enable Alliander to analyse technical conditions, predict and improve their asset management processes, including maintenance of its infrastructure assets over time. The solution provides Alliander with improved quality of their asset data of their distribution network, which will further unlock value in terms of capital spending, lowering carbon footprint, improving risk management including compliance with safe-to touch regulation.
eSmart Systems’ customer portfolio includes several of the world’s largest energy companies, such as Statnett, Naturgy, Xcel Energy and E.ON. With this new contract the company expects to both double its annual revenue and ramp up its global recruitment initiatives.
Repower has a clear ambition to improve their grid asset inspection and asset data to support the resiliency of their grid. We are excited to be part of their journey and look forward to delivering efficiencies and digitization of powerline inspections for Repower.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructure. We are headquartered in Halden, Norway and serve around 50+ utilities globally.
With our Grid Vision® portfolio, we provide Inspection Management and Asset Information Management solutions and services to utilities globally. Grid Vision provides a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and support utilities to reduce inspection costs, improve inspection safety, improve the quality of asset data and prolong asset life.
About the Alliander Group
Alliander group is responsible for distributing gas and electricity to 3.2 million homes and businesses in the Netherlands. We operate 90.000km electricity grid and a 40.000km gas network across six regions including Amsterdam, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, North Holland and South Holland.
We are committed to running a reliable energy supply to ensure that living, working and travelling remain viable in the future by developing sustainable grid technologies, innovative metering solutions and intelligent energy infrastructures. We take great pride in our networks being among the world’s most reliable. Our 7.000 colleagues make sure the lights are on, homes are heated, and businesses can keep operating.
A virtual inspection is an inspection that is carried out remotely away from the physical asset. Normally at a desk. The asset in this case is the power line, this includes the structure, components on and between the structures including the conductor cables. The virtual inspection is carried out by a subject matter expert who conducts a visual inspection of the assets. We have summarized the most common questions we get asked below.
Why would I consider changing my inspection methods?
Traditionally, grid inspections are conducted by engineers out in the field on foot, on a pair of skis, by helicopter or other means of transportation. To get close enough to be able to examine the assets, it is necessary to climb towers and get closer to critical equipment than most of us would be (and should be) comfortable with. Not only are these methods very dangerous and physically demanding for the brave individuals who work in the field, it is also time-consuming, subjective and inefficient for the grid operators.
What types of inspections can you do virtually?
A virtual inspection can be performed for routine and detailed inspections. It is a process change where you are removing the inspection from being conducted out in the field to being conducted from behind a desk.
What types of data are used in a virtual inspection?
In this type of inspection, the subject matter expert can use images from still photography but can also use video, 3D reconstructions, infrared, LIDAR and UV sensor data.
Which infrastructure can a virtual inspection be applied to?
For grid inspections a virtual inspection can be applied to High Voltage(HV), Medium Voltage(MV) and Low Voltage(LV) power lines.
How is the data captured for a virtual inspection?
There are various methods for collecting data for a virtual inspection and the technologies and methods are growing each day. Currently, image capture most typically is performed by unmanned aircraft (drones), but can also include helicopters, vehicles, and ground crew with mobile devices. The method is dependent on the utility’s strategy, budget, terrain of the grid and regulations.
How is the inspection conducted?
There are various methods that utilities globally are adopting. The method and tools you use are dependent on budget, strategy and your end goal. Below are examples of how different utilities are conducting virtual inspections:
- View the captured data on their PC, manually looking for any defects based on a defect catalogue.
- Building in-house customized solutions to support the viewing of images and identifying defects.
- Using out of the box inspection software ranging from basic platforms for viewing images to advance inspection software with built-in inspection workflow supported by AI.
Does a virtual inspection replace routine and detailed inspections?
No! A virtual inspection is another method in your inspection toolbox and does not replace all inspection methods due to various factors including:
- Perspective of the image taken may not show certain defect types on the structure.
- Certain inspections can only be done in-person, for example checking foundations of structures or checking for rot.
- Currently you cannot accurately measure from just an image. But there are new technologies being developed to enable this.
Questions you should be asking when transitioning to virtual inspections
We know how difficult it can be to know what questions to ask when speaking to a vendor or your in-house team when considering the transition to virtual inspections. So we have made a list of things that get missed:
- Have you got the right data capture methodology?
- Will the images you capture work for the software you are using and for the virtual inspector?
- Have you got the right virtual inspection software?
- How will you process all the images you capture?
- Can you utilize your inspection results beyond the inspection?
- What is your strategy for the visual data you are collecting in the field? If you are collecting and paying for it, you should be using it.
- How will you future proof your investment?
Final thoughts
If you apply a virtual inspection to just replace your routine inspection cycle that is a great start and will definitely improve your safety, and give you a great inspection report. You can repeat and rinse this method over and over but it is still based on time and you would be missing out on the bigger return on investment.
If you involve your wider asset management team from the beginning and focus on linking the program to your overall process and the flow of visual data, you will see a bigger return on the program. Doing it right can see you transition from time-based to risk-based inspections and key decision making. If you are investing in collecting data in the field, make it count and work for your business.
If you would like a discussion with our experts on AI or how it can be applied to your inspections, contact us today!
- This program aims to digitalize the inspection process and improve grid resiliency.
- 5-year framework agreement with eSmart Systems, Fugro and GeoAerospace.
- Grid Vision® software will support ESB’s digitalization journey through delivering a digital representation of their physical grid through image-based digital asset.
Through a UAV Inspection Services Framework Contract, ESB will be inspecting up to 10.000 structures over 5 years ranging between 38kV to 400kV, through a virtual inspection program partnering with Fugro, GeoAerospace and eSmart Systems. This program will automate and digitalize their current inspections and will provide ESB with a conditional assessment of their towers as well as general condition analysis of their grid.
We are excited to accelerate our digitalization journey and were impressed with eSmart Systems virtual inspection software. With Fugro, GeoAerospace and eSmartSystems, we will gain efficiency through an end-to-end virtual inspection program, saving us time and costs associated with field visits, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting our goal to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The framework managed by ESB Engineering and Major Projects will include Fugro as service provider and partners GeoAerospace will be flying drones to capture images of the infrastructure. eSmart Systems will conduct the virtual inspection supported by AI within their Grid Vision software. The program will create an image-based digital asset within the Grid Vision software that will represent ESB’s physical grid. This will support ESB to gain value beyond the inspection by providing their teams with a digital representation of their physical infrastructure at their desk unlocking new efficiency gains and in turn reducing reactive maintenance.
The energy industry faces specific challenges such as reducing risks in the power supply, and improving grid planning processes, to name a few. Repower appreciates the benefits of Grid Vision not only to achieve efficiency gains within our day-to-day inspection processes and to achieve higher quality, but also to gain deeper insights into our assets. This supports us in managing medium- and long-term maintenance plans and our investment strategy.
About ESB
At ESB, we are licensed to build, operate, maintain and develop the electricity network in the Republic of Ireland. We are driven to make a difference by achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to leading the transition to a reliable, affordable, net zero energy future. A future that protects our customers and the economy by maintaining the security and affordability of energy.
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it.
Through mapping, modelling and monitoring the built and natural environments we create a safe, liveable world.
About GeoAerospace
Founded in 2016, GeoAerospace is a university spin-out geospatial technology company comprising commercial pilots, drone operators, surveyors, geospatial scientists, platform developers and software engineers. With many of our staff originating from the National Centre for Geocomputation & Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University, we strive to be at the cutting edge of geospatial and remote sensing technologies.
About eSmart Systems
eSmart Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered services and solutions for the inspection and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure.
With our Grid Vision solutions we revolutionize how power utilities operate and maintain their generation plants, transmission and distribution networks.
Our solutions provide a data-driven and condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections and asset management decisions. We support utilities globally to reduce inspection costs, improve inspection safety, improve asset data and prolonged asset life. eSmart Systems has more than 20 years of international experience in establishing and operating knowledge-based, leading IT and energy-related companies targeting global markets.