Portugal’s REN introduces augmented reality solution for substation workers
The ‘Digital Substation Protection’ project brings augmented reality to strengthen the safety of workers in high voltage substations.
Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), Portugal’s electricity and gas transmission system operator (TSO), has combined augmented reality with real time location to enable teams operating at the substations to avoid unsafe areas due to electrical risks and thereby reduce the risk of accidents.
The solution, which was piloted at the Palmela substation is southern Portugal, can be utilised by workers on tablets, mobile phones or PCs, who simply activate it as they access the facility.
REN records that another safety mechanism included in the application is the monitoring of workers through the real-time localisation system, which makes it possible to determine their position with a high level of accuracy and speed. When a worker crosses the safe zone, the system activates an alert which results in a vibration signal for the worker and an alarm for the central system.
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The ’Digital Substation Protection’ project is part of REN’s innovation strategy, which is focused on the creation and development of solutions that contribute to the company’s operational performance as regards safety and quality of energy supply.
Specifically the strategy is based around business quality and continuity, the development of smart and digital networks and operations, sustainable development and new business models.
With the solution piloted, REN now intends to replicate it at other facilities across Portugal’s national electricity grid.
Other augmented reality solutions that REN has developed include a proof of concept for training, including for new employees to guide them through their onboarding and integration into the company.
“The multi-experience provided by augmented reality, virtual reality, and assisted reality is transforming the way we interact with the real world, namely in the context of training and increasing the safety and efficiency of operations in field force management scenarios,” states REN.
