The pandemic has changed global attitudes, focusing minds on the importance of devising ways to make our world a better and safer place – not only in disease prevention but in every aspect of our daily lives.

Disruptive technology has brought transformational change to the food and auto industries, for instance, and companies worldwide are meanwhile raising efforts to improve working environments and workplace safety.

CLP has been at the forefront of a movement to embrace new technology and strengthen the digital and innovative capabilities to ensure a safe, reliable power supply to its customers.

In Hong Kong, it is currently using virtual reality for welding and safety training, drone inspections for power station facilities and overhead lines, and robots to examine the condition of boilers in power generation units.

It is also taking advantage of other ingenious breakthroughs that deploy simple but effective technology to improve safety and efficiency. 

A case of smart thinking

Senior Engineer Conal Lau and his colleagues in CLP’s Generation Business Group have designed a novel tool to keep crews connected and alert to any hazards when they are working in confined spaces.

The team has created a device akin to a suitcase installed with a real-time camera and an alarm system which allows operators to monitor hazardous gas levels and alert their colleagues before a complex situation arises.

“Previously, the standby operator outside the confined spaces could have difficulty communicating with workers inside,” Lau says.

“Workers faced challenges such as the possible accumulation of hazardous gas, as well as the changing working conditions caused by high-temperature works.”

Explaining how the device works, Lau says, “The suitcase is brought into the confined spaces by operators, while the standby operator can monitor the situation outside. In an emergency, the standby operator can trigger an alarm to warn the work team inside.”

The handy, compact suitcase has helped ensure effective communication and enhance inspection quality, while minimising the risks of working in confined spaces.

A hi-tech wood surgeon

Another example of the application of technology to improve workplace efficiency and safety is a “wood pole doctor” created by CLP to check on the health of the tens of thousands of wood poles that carry overhead electricity lines across Hong Kong.

In their search for a solution, Lau and his team studied and compared a variety of technologies, including micro-drilling, internal moisture measurement, sonic echo, bending wave and ultra-seismic methods, as well as examining best practices of other power utility companies.

“We chose the resistograph instrument with micro-drilling technology for its direct and efficient application,” Lau says. “As the inspectors have to carry the “wood pole doctor” into rural areas, we selected a handy power drill for the inspections.”

“We have also equipped it with a pressure sensitive drill tip to measure how the wood resists the drill force. Graphs are generated to show precise changes in the density of the wood poles.”

“An app has also been developed to capture test results for central analysis, so that we can easily identify any internal decay in the poles at an early stage.”

With available data to enhance diagnoses of the “wood pole doctor”, the team can label the wood poles based on their health condition and prioritise pole replacement.

Innovating for the common good

Embracing innovative technological solutions for prevention and prediction can make a huge difference to workplace and public safety at a time when wellbeing is an increasing priority for people worldwide.

CLP is determined to continue to lead the way in digital transformation, and to empower employees to use their initiative and ingenuity to develop novel solutions that further improve safety for both workers and the communities it serves.