Virtual reality paving the way for enhanced safety and efficiency in the power industry

Virtual reality (VR) technology can help the power industry to deliver workforce training and education in an immersive environment. The VR market, worth nearly $7bn in 2018, is set to become a $28bn industry by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% over the forecast period, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest theme report, ‘Thematic Research: Virtual Reality in Power’, highlights that VR training could kick off in a big way and bring new value to the power industry. However, while VR vendors are quick to discuss multiple uses for VR, in all likelihood, VR will remain a niche technology and its uses will be limited to employee training.

Sneha Susan Elias, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working with major utilities such as Duke Energy, Consolidated Edison, EDF, Korea Electric Power Corporation and others on how VR can fit into the industry’s workforce. Many VR devices manufacturing firms are also making huge investments in VR such as Google, Facebook, Sony, HTC, among others with VR headsets, and other devices being largely developed and experimented for numerous applications.”

VR use cases are almost exclusively focused on training, planning and customer education. Many power utilities and companies are utilizing VR for training purposes, with a strong focus on nuclear power plants (NPPs) which will help to restrict the nuclear workers’ exposure to various parts of a NPP.

Elias adds: “Operator training along with design validations at NPPs can now be performed in an effective manner with the help of VR.  In August 2019, the Finnish utility Fortum built the world’s first high-definition VR simulator at its Loviisa NPP in Uusimaa, Finland, for training its control room operators.”

Duke Energy’s metrology team, located at Oconee, utilizes laser equipment for imaging of NPP systems as well as components. EDF’s research and development (R&D) team has developed a digital innovation ‘VVProPrepa – a VR tool’ that makes use of video gaming technology to offer thorough tours of nuclear reactor buildings, utilizing maps, panoramic photos, laser scans along with 3D models.

Elias continues: “Consolidated Edison is utilizing VR training to make their workforce ready for real dangers, enhancing safety and proficiency. PG&E, a major Californian utility, is working with a California-based Internet of Things (IoT) startup (now acquired by Nokia), Space-Time Insight to utilize plant data along with VR technology to offer a faster and safer way for utility personnel to examine equipment, reducing the probability of technicians getting injured or harmed.”

Siemens’ COMOS Walkinside – a 3D VR visualization software solution – offers a virtual environment for immersive training sessions for power plant operators.

Elias concludes: “The number of assets which are maintained or monitored is on the rise, and power utilities are increasingly witnessing the inclusion of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles (EVs) and distribution control equipment. However, much of this new equipment is fitted with sensors, and sensors are also retrofitted into older assets. This data can be used in VR models of critical assets.”

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