Introduction to AR and VR
Hadi Ganjineh is Head of IT, Integrated Tech & Innovation at Super Energy Corp. focused on leading-edge digital business, tech & innovation. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are shaping as much as be future technological battlegrounds. AR enables users to experience an ideal mix of the digital world and physical elements to create a synthetic environment. AR focuses on the interaction between the user and the virtual information registered in a 3-D space. The exchange is in real time, and the user’s actions influence the rendered virtual elements.
Understanding AR and VR
VR is a type of immersive technology that simulates an alternate world or reality. This technology is utilized in games and 3-D movies to let users enter one other world. Virtual realities artificially create sensory experiences, reminiscent of sight, touch and sound. Apart from games and entertainment, VR can also be used for education, in addition to transforming healthcare and science. The most important difference between the 2 technologies is how the content is presented. While AR uses 3-D content, VR uses simulated content. AR overlaps reality so that you just are in a position to use parts of each the actual and virtual worlds, and it is usually experienced via a smartphone or tablet. VR, nevertheless, has nothing to do with the actual world and is as a substitute a simulation that pulls the user right into a virtual reality by the use of sensory devices reminiscent of headsets and gloves.
Renewable Energy and AR/VR
AR and VR are paving the way in which for renewable energy. VR and AR applications can offer huge potential to the energy and utility industries by paving the way in which for enhanced safety and efficiency. This is particularly the case relating to training, modeling, visualization and distant operation with complex information structures and ideas. More and more countries are announcing pledges to attain net-zero emissions by 2050; due to this fact, AR and VR are poised to play a critical role in developing renewable energy.
Benefits of AR/VR in Renewable Energy
This emerging technology could make assembly and design more efficient while allowing employees to interact with virtual models and reduce the necessity for physical interfaces. By enabling engineers to access information, AR can improve the efficiency of fieldwork. Using AR for operation and asset management allows technicians to view internal components of complex equipment. In addition, it could possibly reduce the chance related to regular practical operation. VR is increasingly getting used as a training tool within the workforce for engineers and technicians. Hiring an experienced, expert and trained workforce to match the expansion within the renewable energy industry, in addition to the necessity to prioritize the protection of employees doing fieldwork, are enormous challenges that VR can assist overcome by providing training in various ways.
Game-Changing Technology
AR and VR are game-changers in renewable energy. As AR and VR proceed to develop, utilities wish to them as game-changers in the long run of energy industries. Considering how vital communication is in energy industries, AR and VR technologies can replace verbal and nonverbal communication and notify people of hazard zones. Remote assistance can be facilitated with these technologies, which are sometimes already being applied for occupational safety within the oil and gas industries—the standard face of energy. Renewable energy sectors, reminiscent of substations, wind turbines, solar farms and transmission lines, are sometimes exposed to hazardous environments. Workers could be in danger for health problems and injuries. AR can assist staff by allowing them to perform higher inspections. It can even help discover emerging threats and supply protected exit directions.
Conclusion
Using virtual reality and augmented reality within the energy industry can improve teamwork, communication, inspection and maintenance, in addition to solve critical challenges reminiscent of coping with hazards, physical limitations, a scarcity of practical experience and the necessity to improve worker training. All of this will result in safer and more efficient operational processes and increase a technician’s knowledge and competence. AR and VR technologies have two most important advantages. First, they will alleviate the profound challenges faced within the industry. The technology can assist improve their operations and inspections, reduce costs and boost their worker morale and retention. It also increases data availability, allows for process optimization and improves performance across the worth chain. According to IBM, firms using AR have reported a 46% reduction in time to finish tasks and average productivity improvements of 32%. There are many firms and technologies, reminiscent of Microsoft HoloLens and IBM Watson, that may integrate, develop and tailor recommendations based on the information and wishes from a particular field through the use of platforms reminiscent of Unity and Unreal Engine.
