How Robotic Inspection Data Integrates with Asset Performance Management (APM) to Improve Safety, Availability, and Productivity

Workforce gaps due to retirement, the challenges of aging equipment, and grid demand and complexity have created a growing need for autonomous, data-driven inspection to maintain plant reliability and performance. To help its customers deliver high operational performance, GE Vernova’s Gas Power provides global Operations & Maintenance technical support, Monitoring & Diagnostic and Engineering services, Asset Performance Management (APM) software, and data insights from sensors and autonomous robots.

In collaboration with ANYbotics, a manufacturer of autonomous legged robots for industrial applications, GE Vernova customer sites are using the ANYmal legged robot to provide continuous data from unmonitored equipment across power plant sites. The robot can access spaces that are in difficult-to-reach or dangerous locations, keeping human employees safer.

The robots are equipped with multiple sensors, thermal cameras, visual cameras, directional microphones, acoustic cameras, dust sensors, and sensors for toxic gases, hydrocarbons, and other hazardous fumes. Once the data has been collected, it is processed by GE’s Autonomous Inspection, which takes the images and data collected by ANYMAL and processes them using machine learning models. Insights are then integrated with APM modules to provide users with alerts about early signs of equipment distress and help prioritize maintenance actions.

At a 500MW power generation plant in Ireland, 15+ assets are being monitored by autonomous robots, expanding inspection coverage and providing results in cloud-based APM. The robot was able to detect a hot spot on a Heat Recovery Steam Generator early, allowing the customer to prepare for and conduct maintenance during a planned shutdown, avoiding more costly equipment consequences and lost production.

The value delivered from robotics and APM together includes: