Energy’s Digital Frontier: Remote, Integrated, and Autonomous Operations for Minimally Staffed Facilities

Abstract Remote operations enable monitoring and control of systems from a distance, while autonomous operations use AI and machine learning to shift the cognitive load from human to the automation system. Integrated operations bring these two together by seamlessly connecting the technologies, systems, and data streams, allowing for more streamlined decision-making and optimized performance across multiple locations. The benefits are invaluable: in addition to more efficient monitoring, control and operational support, it is possible to reduce downtime, improve productivity, reduce safety risks and save on the costs associated with on-site human habitation. Modern remote operations can trace their heritage back to the 1950’s where teleoperation was conceived for handling remote radioactive materials. Since then, developments in space, underwater exploration, remotely operated vehicles, and recently in healthcare have shown that many of the technology building blocks are in place. In the energy sector, process control operator stations are commonly co-located with the facility, but it is becoming more common to supplement these with mirrored remote operations centres. These are not just remotely located DCS workstations but fully operational centres capable of supporting real-time decision making, remote support for on-going operations, maintenance campaigns, emergency response and operator training. There are several key technologies that underpin remote operations -these include advances in low cost and low power sensors that are richly connected enabling real-time monitoring and a high level of detailed information. Developments in data integration and analytics are now being supported by AI which can aggregate this information to provide a basis for decision making and eventually to propose an automatic response. Cyber and physical security is of huge significance, particularly for such critical infrastructure. Lastly a system that is fully integrated and provides flexibility and scalability is central. While it is technology that can enable remote operations, there must be organizational acceptance and a deep level of trust in the technology, and these are currently holding back the roll out. Changes must be made to the operational and maintenance philosophies as more and more tasks are handed over to the automation system to provide intelligent decision support. Human operators and domain expertise will continue to focus on value-add activities such as creativity, intuition and dealing with unexpected situations.