Embracing AI and digital solutions for a smarter future – FYLD

“We need to enhance our understanding, learn from adjacent markets and industries, and engage AI as a tool to expand our thinking. At Eclipse Power, we are currently on our own journey on how we can safely manage our assets remotely, partnering with FYLD.”

– Ben Croxford, Director of Customer Connections Delivery at Eclipse Power Networks.

We have been using FYLD, a cloud-based AI-powered work execution platform, to empower our customers and the ICP by streamlining the capture and sharing of information.

What does FYLD have to offer?

Construction activities at remote sites are not easily visible to office personnel responsible for performance management. This lack of visibility can delay the notification of issues, potentially affecting health and safety, quality, schedule, and costs. FYLD offers an award-winning AI platform that proposes an innovative direction for the utility sector. The platform addresses the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure and increasing demand by substituting manual processes with real-time visibility and streamlined communication. This in turn allows for data driven decision making, enhancing safety, and optimising operations. The tool being a cloud-based, AI powered solution also eliminates the need for auditors to travel long distances to observe activities. The following features allow for all-round more efficient working:

• Automatic conversion of video and audio footage into real-time workflows.
• Video risk assessments.
• Analytics dashboards.
• Using machine learning to eliminate paperwork, save time and enhance site efficiency and safety.

Why is this beneficial to us at Eclipse Power?

Digital solutions provide us with visibility into on-site work and consequently greatly improved operations.

AI powered capabilities allow for improved regulatory compliance. This means a safer work environment for field workers through integrated risk assessment and incident reporting tools. Using digital solutions such as FYLD we will be able to capture the information we need to gain confidence in the assets we adopt. We can energise, operate & maintain them safely knowing that we have all the asset information to keep them working. In the long run, we expect to see more efficient workflows that are quality assured through the transparency the tool provides.

We will still monitor some key activities, but fewer than we do now. This provides a Health & Safety benefit for our Auditors, who will be driving less, with the added benefit of minimising our carbon footprint.

Most importantly, how will this benefit our customers and ICP’s?

Ultimately, the implementation of digital solutions will lead to more efficient working for us at Eclipse Power and the ICP.

• Speed – Increased efficiency will lead to the faster energisation of projects.
• Availability – The Auditor has access to the Eclipse Power Design Team with the benefit of reducing the response times to queries and impacts on programme development through a direct-line project environment.
• Quality – The platform also supports the digital recording of information instead of paper-based recording to ensure we can implement a ‘right first time’ policy. This in turn saves time for contractors and makes information more accessible for the teams involved.
• Compliance – Increased on-site visibility will highlight immediate risks and the ability to evidence it. This being real time will allow Eclipse Power and the ICP to continue a high compliance with existing standards.

So, how does this benefit the industry as a whole?

Digitalisation and AI powered solutions are key in working towards a smarter, more resilient grid for the future of the UK’s energy sector. By utilising the tech available to us, we can challenge industry standards and enhance efficiency within the construction and utility sectors. The adoption of digital technologies is not just a trend but imperative as the industry evolves. Seeking innovative solutions will position us to deliver projects more efficiently, safely, and sustainably throughout all aspects of the energy industry. FYLD is just one tool that we could be utilising to optimise the process of grid connection.

As of July 2023, one-third of utility and energy companies around the world had adopted AI technology in their operations. We hope to see digitalisation and AI-powered solutions integrated further within the industry where it can best approach the challenges we are currently facing. The UK’s energy grid is at a crucial turning point with the connections queue now approaching terawatt territory. Increasing demands, ageing infrastructure, and reliance on manual processes create opportunities for innovation, which is what we at Eclipse Power, as an IDNO, strive to achieve. Ensuring our processes are as streamlined as they can be industry-wide takes us one step closer to unlocking the connections queue and implementing change.

At Eclipse Power, we’re committed to driving innovation and challenging industry norms. Connect with our experts today to find out how we can deliver innovative solutions for your project.

Talk to Eclipse Power. Electricity Connections. Simplified.