SSEN Transmission will deploy a new autonomous robot to help check electrical equipment at its Blackhillock high-voltage direct current (HVDC) switching station in Keith, Scotland.
The new robot – known as EXTRM MK4.1 – has been developed by tech company Ross Robotics and is being used in electricity high-voltage converter stations to help monitor and inspect electrical components, identifying any faults or future maintenance requirements.
The roll-out of the robot follows on from a successful two-week trial at SSEN Transmission’s Noss Head Switching Station in Wick in 2023, which allowed project teams to run a series of tests and programmes for the new robot.
The robot’s new home in SSEN Transmission’s HVDC converter station in Blackhillock, near Keith, marks the first time such technology has been used on the electricity transmission network in Scotland.
The robot has four all-terrain wheels and weighs around 25kg, meaning it is small enough to roam the high-voltage halls unassisted while ensuring it gathers key data. Once it has finished its pre-programmed route of the building, the robot returns to its charging port in the hall.
Tania Shaw, SSEN Transmission Innovation Project Manager, said: “This is a really exciting step in our ongoing Aim High Innovation Project with Ross Robotics and follows on from months of careful testing and configurations to ensure the robot is ready for its new home at Blackhillock HVDC Converter Station later this month.
“Deploying the EXTRM MK4.1 means we can check the condition of our electrical equipment and assets in real-time in the HVDC halls, meaning we can establish and identify any areas which require maintenance quickly to include within planned outages.
“Engineers cannot enter the halls when they are energised, and any innovation which can help us mitigate against unplanned outages, efficiently monitor our equipment in real-time while is a huge advantage to the north of Scotland transmission network.
“We look forward to seeing the new robot in action later this month, and hopefully look to deploy similar innovations elsewhere on our network in the future.”