Elia Robot HVDC Lixhe

# Autonomous Robot for Maintenance in Elia’s Main HVDC Converter Hall

Elia Group, in collaboration with Siemens Energy, Ross Robotics, and Nemo Link, has successfully developed and implemented an autonomous robot for maintenance tasks in their main HVDC converter hall in Lixhe. This is the first-of-its-kind robotic implementation in the Hall, which is typically too dangerous for human access due to its high electromagnetic field environment.

During the yearly outage period, the robot inspects the hall on a 24/7 basis, using a range of sensors including thermal imaging, visual inspection through an RGB camera, and noise recording. This allows continuous monitoring of the assets and detection of any anomalies that may be present or any issues that require preventive maintenance actions.

The robot’s deployment in the hall is the culmination of a four-year study journey, involving a long research and development phase that included countless iterations and tests in challenging environments. The customized robot is a great example of collaboration between the Innovation department and the business department.

As a leader in the industry, Elia Group has committed to purchasing three robots to be deployed across their various sites with Siemens, 50 Hertz, and Nemo Link. This implementation is a great success for the team, and they look forward to expanding its use across the company.

**Keywords/Tags:** autonomous robot, maintenance robot, Elia Group, Siemens Energy, Ross Robotics, Nemo Link, HVDC converter hall, preventive maintenance, continuous monitoring.

*Source:* [Elia Group](https://www.elia.be/en/news/press-releases/2022/01/first-autonomous-robot-for-maintenance-tasks-deployed-in-elia-s-main-hvdc-converter-hall)

An autonomous robot has been installed in Elia’s main HVDC converter hall in Lixhe during the hall’s yearly outage period of one week. The hall has since been re-energised, meaning that no humans can safely enter it, and the robot is currently inspecting the hall on a 24/7 basis. The installation and deployment of the robot in the hall is the culmination of a two-year collaboration that Elia Group launched with Siemens Energy, Ross Robotics and Nemo Link. This involved a long research and development phase which included countless iterations and tests in challenging environments.