- Solution area:Technological innovation ,
- Аdministrative level:Federation ,
- Solution process:Digitization and technology ,Energy ,Regional development and infrastructure ,Science and research ,Security and defense ,Smart City ,
- Technology:Artificial Intelligence ,Automation and robotics ,Internet of Things ,Sensor technology ,
Energy dog at Wien Energie
Introducing robotics and AI in the energy sector
Wien Energie is Austria’s largest regional energy service provider and a subsidiary of Wiener Stadtwerke. The company reliably and sustainably supplies two million customers with electricity, heating, cooling, e-mobility, and telecommunications. Ongoing digitalization and the measures needed to manage the energy transition are also reshaping job profiles in the energy sector. With the help of new technologies, employees can be relieved of routine tasks, allowing the freed-up resources to be used for more complex work and problem-solving. Automation is also making its way into the power plant sector. The intelligent robot dog “Energy Dog” supports employees during their inspection rounds at Austria’s largest power plant. However, Energy Dog does not replace employees. On the contrary, it serves as high-tech support for them.
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Quick Facts
How it works
To ensure that power plants operate reliably and safely, all systems must be meticulously checked several times a day. This important task is carried out by Wien Energie employees. Thanks to their many years of experience, the experts can immediately see, smell, or hear when an anomaly occurs—for example, an unusual noise from a pump or liquid dripping from a pipe. Nowadays, they are supported by Energy Dog at the Wien-Simmering power plant. Equipped with specially developed sensor technology, including a thermographic camera for measuring temperatures, an acoustic sensor for detecting unusual noises, and a multi-gas detector for identifying various gases, the robot is the perfect assistant. At predefined points in the plant, the robot collects data, which is then analyzed by AI for irregularities. The AI has also been trained with the knowledge of shift workers.
Since spring 2023, Energy Dog has been in continuous operation around the clock. One inspection round takes about an hour, after which it recharges for another hour. If an unusual event is detected, Energy Dog automatically alerts the responsible shift workers, who can use the robot’s camera to assess the problem and immediately take the appropriate action.
The Big Picture
The combined expertise of a large number of employees with decades of experience, channeled through an autonomously moving robot, represents a significant step toward preserving valuable knowledge. Even if employees change jobs or retire, the company continues to benefit in the long term from their extensive know-how. In addition, a well-trained and highly advanced robot AI makes it possible to detect potential hazards at an early stage, thereby preventing unplanned downtime and ensuring the energy supply for millions of citizens. A robot can also enter areas that may be dangerous for humans at certain times, making a substantial contribution to improving workplace safety. Energy Dog learns from its human colleagues, preserves knowledge, and makes operations easier and safer. With its support, Wien Energie’s experts can focus their full expertise on complex tasks.
