Utilities score big by exploiting robo-power
This article describes how mobile robots help plants reduce risks to personnel by taking over tasks that place people in hazardous and/or awkward locations. When correctly applied, robots can also save plants millions of dollars in downtime- and maintenance-related costs. A single robotic inspection of a nuclear-plant containment building can save four person rems or more of exposure in some cases--particularly when the robot pinpoints specific maintenance and repair needs. This enables repair crews to go directly to the required location, complete a job, and get out of the facility without delay. Because many utilities estimate the cost of a person-rem to be $10,000 or more based on information from the NRC, a four-person-rem saving actually pays for some mobile robots. Robots also reduce costs by decreasing downtime and the need to operate at part-load. Example: Before workers can perform a routine inspection of the inner-containment building areas at Consolidated Edison Co of New York Inc's (Con Ed) Indian Point Unit 2, the 1000-MW facility's output must be reduced by 70%. Based on this figure, the monetary savings associated with this application are substantial.
- OSTI ID:
- 5952394
- Journal Information:
- Power; (United States), Journal Name: Power; (United States) Vol. 137:3; ISSN POWEAD; ISSN 0032-5929
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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