Extended Reality: a fundamental tool for the energy sector

During the last few years, the energy and natural resources sector is preparing for a major disruption. Decarbonization and the shift to more sustainable processes cast a huge shadow over the industry, forcing companies to be prepared for a completely different scenario. In this context, the correct implementation and the use of technology is essential, and every day companies are looking for new solutions to help them to face this transformation.

This is the case of Extended Reality, a technology in full adoption phase by different sectors that is already being used as a tool to improve processes related to gas, oil or electricity. Both Virtual Reality, able to generate interactive digital environments where it is easier to operate or to learn, and Augmented Reality, which allows us to visualize rich data layers on a real environment, they can be very useful. In this post we will review some of the most interesting applications of this enabler for the energy sector.

• Remote support. Extended Reality systems allow us to deeply enter in parallel worlds. Its use for personnel training is more than known, and this industry is no exception. Extended Reality opens the door to a model of remote support where technicians do not need to move to solve the problem, but a large part of them can be solved remotely using a common interactive scenario. This approach drastically reduces the costs, intervention times and risks of any process, while allowing the technician to have the necessary tools and the information closer to him.
• Design engineering. Thanks to virtual environments it is possible to approach the project stages with greater efficiency and precision, providing a better identification of possible risks. Using complex 3D models it is possible to achieve a complete view of the facilities and services, which facilitates the optimization of the infrastructures from project to production.
• Security. With devices able to superimpose a layer of Augmented Reality, the employee gets, in real time, information about the elements that he manipulates, avoiding errors that could trigger work accidents. On the other hand, this additional information simplifies the management of key components of the infrastructure, achieving an interactive guidance throughout the operation to make their work easier and to minimize errors.
• Cost reduction. Besides avoiding a large number of trips, Extended Reality can group the use of several tools. This enabler helps to transform the workplace, digitizing the processes in an interactive and visual system. This allows us to replace some physical instruments and to open the way to a more efficient and economical Digital Workplace.

Conclusion

The energy sector needs tools to help them to cope with the disruption it faces. Extended Reality and its combination with other technological enablers represents one of the keys to this transformation.

In Izertis we are prepared to be with the Energy & Utilities companies in their adaptation process to this new scenario, designing and implementing the Digital Transformation solutions that are tailored to the needs of each company. If you want to know more, please contact our experts in Extended Reality and Digital Transformation.