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mr robot

Deployment
STAN is now being used by NGN on an
average of two jobs per week, and the
results are proving remarkable.
Richard Hynes-Cooper, NGN’s Head
of Innovation, said: “STAN allows
us to reduce the number and size
of excavations, which keeps traffic
flowing and is great for motorists and
our engineers.
“The average duration of jobs has
reduced from three weeks to one
week and early indications are that
we are saving around £2,000 per job
by getting the work done quicker and
more effectively.
“The environmental performance of
sites has also improved. We’re digging
fewer holes and displacing less spoil.”
Andy Tilley, Synthotech Lead
Technical Support Engineer, said: “It is
a great achievement when we can turn
up, launch the robot, spray the joints in
a leaking main, and by the time we are
packing up the bar hole, gas readings
are reducing.
“We are now only supporting the
project as Northern Gas Networks
engineers are running and operating
their own robot. A sign of success for us is
when our customers become the experts.”
Beyond STAN: new technology in the pipeline
STAN is not the only industry-
changing piece of technology in NGN’s
development pipeline.
The company is constantly
innovating – working closely with the
supply chain to design imaginative
solutions to perennial challenges.
Among the more eye-catching
projects in development is a series STAN is now being used
of trials with a tailor-made drone to
test the practical and safety issues by NGN on an average
associated with using unmanned craft of two jobs per week,
to inspect utility networks from the air. and the results are
The project is being delivered
with the other UK gas and electricity proving remarkable
distributors and supplier Callen Lenz.
If successful, it could help inform a
change in government legislation,
allowing drones to be flown beyond public, at the click of a button. sniffer dog to help find gas leaks. It was
visual line of sight for a variety of Richard Hynes-Cooper said: “At a a head-turning move at the time – and
industrial applications. time when all utility companies are some thought it was a gimmick – but
Elsewhere, the company is working being challenged to deliver even more sniffer dogs are now fully-fledged
with supplier Steve Vick International for our customers, while keeping bills members of our engineering team,
on a new technique to replace service affordable, innovation that delivers saving us time and money.
pipes without the need to dig in a value is critical. “We love challenging convention in
customer’s garden or driveway. “We are constantly seeking ways to this way, especially when it results in a
With Radius PLUS, it is developing an improve efficiency and customer service positive outcome for customers. There’s
inflatable stopper which could replace the with longer term sustainable performance no better feeling!”
traditional ‘squeeze off’ technique when improvement, and often look beyond
repairing plastic gas pipes. And with our own industry for inspiration. To stay up to date with innovation at
1Spatial, NGN is developing a software “This can sometimes lead to NGN, visit northerngasnetworks.co.uk or
programme that can produce automated unconventional ways of doing things www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovation-
traffic plans, optimised for the travelling – such as our use of a police-trained at-northern-gas-networks

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