How can the energy sector take advantage of automation?

With the energy sector constantly evolving, companies are seeking innovative solutions to remain competitive in today’s market. Automation has opened up a world of possibilities, propelling businesses towards a future where safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

In this article, we delve into how automation is reshaping the energy sector and the numerous benefits it offers to companies. From enhancing safety protocols to streamlining operations and driving down costs, we explore the ways in which technology is enabling energy companies to maintain a competitive edge in an ever-changing and demanding landscape. Additionally, we examine the implications of automation on security measures, shedding light on the imperative need for fortifying systems to mitigate potential threats.

Enhancing Safety

Safety is of utmost importance in the energy sector. Research by Deloitte indicates that automation can reduce safety incidents in the energy sector by up to 50%, minimising risks for workers and improving overall safety protocols and enabling more accurate and faster responses to critical situations.

With the use of cross-platform technology, communication systems can connect and support everyone in real-time, ensuring that workers can quickly communicate and respond to any safety concerns.

The latest smart radio systems such as the MOTOTRBO ION and Evolve eliminate barriers between devices, networks, and locations to meet precise requirements. They operate across platforms – DMR, LTE, 3G, 4G and WI-FI – to connect and support everyone via talk groups, individual calling, or wide area connectivity, whilst safety features such as lone worker, man down, and GPS location tracking can be integrated into communication devices to provide additional protection for workers.

Streamlining processes and analytics

Automation can significantly help to streamline processes and improve efficiency in the energy sector. By digitising and automating manual tasks, companies can reduce manual workload, organize workflows, and enable reliable communication and data collection.

Integrated systems can unify voice, data, video, and analytics in one platform, allowing for powerful collaboration and analysis. This can lead to more informed decision-making and optimisation of resources. For example, Orchestrate from Motorola Solutions. This is a tool that helps businesses streamline their operations by automating their workflows. It is designed to be easy to use and can be accessed online. With this tool, you can create and automate workflows that control your technology system.

For example, an energy plant engineering team can use this tool to automate their workflow for maintenance requests. They can set up a workflow where when a maintenance request is submitted, it automatically assigns the task to the appropriate team member, sends notifications, and tracks the progress until it is completed. This eliminates the need for manual coordination and ensures efficient handling of maintenance requests. Learn more here >

Boosting security

The energy sector is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Implementing automation can help companies boost security by applying communication, organisational, and process frameworks that protect against cyber threats.

The latest integrated systems and support services offer system security features such as regular patches and periodic risk assessments to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and networks. Additionally, these systems can be remotely monitored and managed, providing an extra layer of protection.

Reducing costs

One of the key benefits of automation in the energy sector is the ability to reduce costs. According to a report by McKinsey, automation in the energy industry can reduce operational costs by 20-30%. Whilst a study by Accenture found that companies that have implemented automation experienced a 40-60% reduction in downtime, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.

By implementing smart automation processes such as SCADA, energy companies can significantly lower operational expenses. Automation can help minimises downtime and improve the overall efficiency of operations, leading to cost savings. For example, automated monitoring systems can detect equipment failures or anomalies in real-time, allowing for immediate response and reducing the risk of costly breakdowns.

Furthermore, automation can enable better asset management, allowing companies to optimise maintenance schedules and reduce unnecessary expenses. In addition, with the integration of data analytics can provide valuable insights and predictions, helping companies identify areas where costs can be reduced, and revenues can be maximised.

In conclusion

With the rapid advancement of automation technology, it is crucial for companies in the energy industry to stay ahead of the curve and leverage these advancements to their advantage. By doing so, they can not only remain competitive but also drive innovation and transform their operations in a rapidly evolving sector.

Furthermore, automation can enable better asset management, allowing companies to optimise maintenance schedules, provide valuable insights and predictions, and identify areas where costs can be reduced and revenues can be maximised.

Re-shape how your team is connecting

Whether you are considering a new way of connecting your team, or need to improve on a in-situ system – Radiocoms are here to support you on that journey.

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