Seven new inspection robots have been rolled out across SSEN Transmission’s high voltage direct current (HVDC) stations in the north of Scotland, in a major step to modernise how critical network infrastructure is monitored in real-time.
The deployment follows three years of innovation collaboration with tech company Ross Robotics.
The new robots will be deployed at Blackhillock, Spittal, and Kergord HVDC convertor stations, as well as Noss Head DC Switching Station in Wick, and will provide detailed reports, inspections and ongoing monitoring for the electrical components housed within the stations.
The seven new robots follow on from two years of successful operation with a robot based at SSEN Transmission’s Blackhillock converter station near Keith, which now takes the company’s fleet of robots to eight in total. Affectionately named Haggis following a competition with pupils from local primary schools, the original robot has proven a success following extensive trials.
High-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations operate at an extremely high voltage level of electricity, meaning service personnel cannot access many of the electrical environments when energised and in operation.
Instead, the eight robots will carry out daily routine monitoring on their own, feeding valuable insight back to operational teams on asset conditions and network performance.
WATCH: Learn how the robots work in SSEN Transmission’s HVDC converter stations
Over the next 12 months, the robots are expected to complete more than 5,000 autonomous inspections while travelling a combined distance of over 1,700 kilometres – approximately the journey from SSEN Transmission’s headquarters in Perth to Rome.
The innovation trial demonstrated the effectiveness of using the robotic platform within a live environment and achieved several milestones, including capturing the first thermal and ultraviolet (UV) images from energised HVDC halls on the network.
By continuously monitoring asset temperatures and operating conditions within the HVDC halls, the system helps engineers identify potential issues earlier, improve fault diagnosis and make more informed maintenance and asset replacement decisions.
The roll-out of a further seven robots marks a strong commitment of transitioning innovation projects into business-as-usual, following development and trials through Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) projects.
SSEN Transmission and Ross Robotics are continuing to build on their partnership through the ODIN (Optimisation and Diagnostic Innovative Networks) Strategic Innovation Fund project, which is exploring how artificial intelligence can be used alongside robotic inspections to provide deeper insights into asset condition.
By helping engineers identify potential issues earlier and make more informed maintenance decisions, the technology could reduce the need for manual inspections and support the safe and reliable operation of the network.
Alan Ritchie, Senior Manager of Innovation at SSEN Transmission said: "This is a really exciting milestone in our innovation journey with Ross Robotics and a great example of how emerging technologies can help transform the way we operate and maintain critical network infrastructure.
“Over the past three years, we've worked closely together to take this technology from an initial concept and trial through to a proven solution that is now supporting the day-to-day operation of our HVDC sites across the north of Scotland.
“It's been fantastic to see the robots successfully deployed at scale and already providing valuable insights from areas that would otherwise be difficult to access when assets are in operation. The information they're gathering is helping us better understand the condition of our assets, make more informed decisions and continue building a safe, reliable and resilient network for the future.
“What's particularly exciting is that this is only the beginning. Through projects such as ODIN, we're continuing to develop new capabilities that could unlock even greater benefits for our network, our people and our customers in the years ahead."
Dominic Cusk, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Ross Robotics said: “This is a landmark moment for SSEN Transmission, Ross Robotics and the wider energy transmission industry. The sector has seen significant interest and investment in robotic inspection through pilot projects, but SSEN Transmission is now taking the next step: putting this technology into sustained operational use across critical HVDC infrastructure.
“Through this five-year Robotics-as-a-Service partnership, SSEN Transmission is demonstrating real leadership in the adoption of robotics, AI-driven condition monitoring and predictive asset management. We’re delighted to be working alongside them on this journey and look forward to continuing to evolve our robotic capabilities and AI technologies to deliver increasingly intelligent, proactive approaches to critical infrastructure management”
The new robots will be rolled out in the coming months across SSEN Transmission’s HVDC converter stations and DC switching stations in the north of Scotland.