Avangrid pilot project to deploy robot dog for inspections
Avangrid is doing a pilot project with Levatas and Boston Dynamics to advance substation inspections using artificial intelligence (AI).
The pilot project will deploy a mobile robot called Spot, which is modeled after a dog, to complete visual and thermal inspections at two substations of its Connecticut subsidiary, United Illuminating (UI).
“We’re very proud to once again be among the utility industry pioneers pushing the boundaries of technology,” Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, said. “Last year, we announced the establishment of an in-house team to build unique machine learning models to increase reliability. With this pilot project, we are now exploring using AI in another aspect of our business where there is great potential to bring high value to our customers and stakeholders. This type of innovation will help us be more efficient, target our investments, and increase reliability for our customers.”
The pilot project will take place at UI’s Singer and East Shore substations. It will test a variety of AI models, developed by Levatas, to read analog gauges, record thermal images, and detect damaged equipment.
The robot dog is outfitted with a camera that has a 30 times optical zoom and an infrared camera capable of taking thermal readings to compare the transformer and breaker phases. There is also an option to attach an acoustic sensor that can detect changes in sound signatures, malfunctioning equipment, and other noise anomalies in real time.
At the Singer substation, the project will test how quickly and accurately the robot can detect and read several of the substation’s analog gauges. At the East Shore substation, it will test the robot’s ability to inspect transformers, circuit breakers, and capacitor banks.
“Levatas is thrilled to be part of the effort deploying AI-enabled Spot robots within Avangrid substations as we automate inspections to increase grid reliability,” Chris Nielsen, Levatas CEO, said. “The value being delivered by these solutions is real, and it’s measurable, which is exciting because we feel that we’re just scratching the surface.”
The robot will be controlled by an onsite operator using a tablet, which can be used to both drive the robot and create autonomous missions. Avangrid is also working to install software that would allow for remote operation as well.
“We at Boston Dynamics are driven by a belief that agile mobile robots can help solve real-world problems,” Marco da Silva, head of Spot Product Development at Boston Dynamics, said. “We’re proud to collaborate with Levatas to advance Avangrid’s United Illuminating plant reliability. This pilot will not only change expectations of what robots can do, but it will also enrich critical visual and thermal substation inspections.”
