Learnings

Outcomes

Phase 1 of the X-FacTOR project identified 2 proof of concepts to deliver on 2 use cases identified during collaborative workshops between SP Energy Networks and Digital Catapult.

PoC Use Case 1: Overhead Line Inspection - Vegetation Management

As a highly procedural task, inspection of overhead lines has been identified as a high impact and high feasibility use case for immersive learning. Stemming from a wider discussion regarding OHL training, inspection allows for translation of standardised and methodical material into VR and addresses concerns around fear of working at height in a safe and controlled environment. Similarly to other OHL use cases, the anticipated impact will involve reduced drop outs across trainees.

PoC Use Case 2: Damage Assessor Training

In the UK on average, 20 people are killed and 400 people are injured as a result of coming into contact (or close proximity) with electricity overhead. Even if the lines are ‘dead’, they can become live again with no notice. This may happen automatically after a few seconds, or they can be re-energised up to several hours later if SP Energy Networks is not aware that the line has been damaged.

This PoC will help trainees develop understanding of weather effects and availability of resources as well as increase  their understanding of physicality of the training and showcase outcomes of poor practices during training.

Lessons Learnt

This project will provide new use cases for the application of existing Extended Reality (XR) Technology by applying it within the network distribution industry, on the design of an immersive training program for and with expertise of the network field workers.

Methodology wise, it was learned that, for the purpose of this project, in-person workshops have much more engagement than online ones, so future projects will try and conduct workshops in that way.