July 28, 2023 EDP Uses Augmented Reality for Maintenance Procedures

EDP, a leader in the energy sectors, implemented an Augmented Reality-based digital solution to transform its maintenance procedures.

EDP uses Glartek’s technology to increase its operators’ capacities for standalone tasks.

BACKGROUND

The concept of industrial transformation is quickly expanding across the world. Industry 4.0 is shaping the way production and operations are strategically planned and the way resources are used. According to BGC, some of the main benefits of Industry 4.0 include:

• Optimization of value chains
• Modify profile of workforces
• Increases productivity up to 30%

In fact, the revenue of a digital transformation investment can be as high as any innovation launched by a company. As a leader in the utilities sector, EDP is a reference in the Portuguese energy market due to its focus in sustainability and digitalization.

As the 3rd largest utilities company in Iberia, EDP has 13 million customers for both electricity and gas solutions. The company is present in 14 countries around the world.

CHALLENGE

While providing electricity and gas solutions to almost 13 million customers, EDP needs to guarantee that the maintenance of all equipment is efficiently executed.

The challenge was: How can we reduce our specialized maintenance teams, and still guarantee the conformity of the equipment and the processes?

The key problem was decomposed into three different but complementary issues:

• Information dispersed into three different platforms;
• Complex maintenance and inspections processes;
• Different levels of expertise and knowledge.

Different resident teams were needed in each facility, and each had different qualification levels. This resulted in high costs and extensive use of resources. Some of the main impacts included:

1. Decreased equipment and service safety.
2. High costs related to maintenance teams.
3. Operators had low autonomy.

SOLUTION

To reduce maintenance resources, field operators were provided with a powerful tool that can support them during maintenance and inspection processes.

Workers are more connected, accessing information in real-time, and their skills are augmented using AR step-by-step guides. The solution involved four steps:

1. Centralize information.
2. Step-by-step guides.
3. Reduce maintenance resources.
4. Contextual training.

This was made possible by introducing a management system that centralizes and organizes information from multiple platforms. The improved process can be summarized as follows:

• One centralized digital platform.
• Information & guides real-time access.
• Autonomous field operators.
• Safe & efficient execution.

RESULTS

The number of specialists visits decreased, there was a reduction in execution errors, and 30x faster access to information.

• 30x faster access to information.
• Real-time feedback and control over process execution.
• Increase in process safety.
• Potential team, specializations, and training reduction due to Augmented Reality (AR).

NEXT STEPS

As a leader in the energy sector, EDP is focused on continuously improving its procedures. Therefore, future steps include:

Apply the technology to training procedures.

Apply the technology to other business areas.

Use a Visual Remote Assistance tool.

CONCLUSION

Thanks to Glartek’s technology, the Portuguese utilities’ leader saw an immediate impact on its results. It was possible to ensure fewer errors during maintenance tasks, decrease the need for specialists’ support, and ensure that all workers remain safe at all times. Overall, EDP have already deployed their 3rd digitization process with Glartek.

BEFORE

Too many resources dependencies & processes.

AFTER

Smaller teams with more efficient tools & improved skills.

“Glartek’s product, with augmented reality capabilities, allows our field technicians to perform inspections and maintenance processes faster, with fewer errors and at the exact location, while managers have immediate feedback and ensure that tasks are done correctly.”

About us
Glartek’s product, with augmented reality capabilities, allows our field technicians to perform inspections and maintenance processes faster, with fewer errors and at the exact location, while managers have immediate feedback and ensure that tasks are done correctly.

Get in touch:
Glartek.com
info@glartek.com
linkedin.com/company/glartek/

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