A large energy company with production facilities at several geographical locations wanted to explore whether it was possible to break down the inherent silos that arise when operators are only familiar with, and able to run, their own local facility. The idea was that operators at one facility should be able to help monitor and control boilers at another facility – entirely remotely. Sigholm was commissioned to lead and evaluate a pilot project designed to test exactly that.
A Pilot That Tested More Than the Technology
The pilot required careful preparation. Working together with operators and shift supervisors, risk analyses were carried out, new working methods were developed, and a structured training plan was designed, complete with checklists for the tasks that needed to be learned. A group of operators was then trained on a boiler at a facility other than their own, before a twelve-week test period began in which remote control was put to a real-world test.
To evaluate the pilot project fairly, Sigholm combined quantitative and qualitative data collection throughout the test period. The evaluation found that the technical feasibility of running a boiler remotely proved to be entirely achievable, but that other challenges remained. What truly determines whether the concept can work at scale is not the technology itself, but sufficient training time, a well-functioning working environment and, perhaps most unexpectedly, the personal relationships that determine whether operators actually choose to call one another when needed.
A Well-Founded Basis for the Next Step
The assignment resulted in a final report containing documented conclusions and a concrete recommendation on how the concept should be implemented on a permanent basis – including the order in which to proceed, the conditions required, and how it should be managed over time. The pilot demonstrated that a virtual control room can create real value, including increased redundancy and simpler staffing planning, and gave the client a well-founded basis for decision-making as they take the next step at the right pace.
