What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.

The major types of renewable energy sources are:

• Biomass
  • Wood and wood waste
  • Municipal solid waste
  • Landfill gas and biogas
  • Ethanol
  • Biodiesel
• Hydropower
• Geothermal
• Wind
• Solar

What is VR Training?

Virtual Reality Training is the digital simulation of lifelike scenarios for training purposes. Trainees enter a 360° sphere which is an active learning environment, experiencing sights and sounds that creates a barrier between actual and virtual reality.

On-field training has always been an area of difficulty because it can frequently require the travelling of long distances, potential safety concerns and complex training scenarios. Workforce training is also necessary but due to its high implementation costs and potential risks , VR is now being used to revolutionise employee training.

One of the primary focuses of VR in staff training is to create realistic scenarios specific to the role. By being able to control this virtual world, companies can formulate all types of experiences that may not have been possible otherwise with customizable solutions according to the company’s norms.  These incidents can be tailored to replicate any potential business crises so that employers can also analyse users’ stress levels and problem solving skills.

Why use VR in Training

If you have never tried a Virtual Reality headset, you might think that it is impossible to impart training through this device and can mistakenly think that virtual reality is still science fiction or a gaming gimmick.

But, according to Gartner, one of the most trusted technology advisory services for executives, virtual reality is distancing itself from the emerging tech hype cycle and swiftly moving into mainstream adoption. Using Gartner’s Hype Cycle model, virtual reality has moved onto the “Slope of Enlightenment.”

VR has the following benefits when it comes to offering hands-on training experience:

• Speeding up the learning process
• Remote training and accessibility: great for your company, great for the planet
• Encourage Exploration and Trial & Error
• Reduce Training Cost
• Built-in Measurement and Grading

Use of Virtual Reality in the Renewable Energy Sector

Bill Hutchison, Fife College curriculum manager for electrical, electronic and petroleum engineering, predicted a rapid uptake of VR and augmented reality (AR) in the renewable energy sector.

He said, “The renewable energy sector is already a ‘primary user’ of VR for training, along with the aerospace, nuclear, construction and oil and gas industries.

VR provides direct cost benefits as compared to on-site training by avoiding the use of expensive components and spending money on travel to remote locations.

Trainees using VR can navigate through a virtual model of a Solar Plant and become familiar with the work environment before visiting an actual site, which can help with logistics and job sequencing while reducing the likelihood of human errors.

“It would be reasonable to see all advanced engineering industries to be routinely using VR and AR within the next five to 10 years,” Hutchison said.

A recent report ‘Thematic Research: Virtual Reality in Power’ released by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, reveals that VR training could kick off in a big way. It aims to bring new value to the power industry.

Some organizations have started using VR as part of their curriculum courses to impart training to their employees or students.

• The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working with major utilities such as Duke Energy, Consolidated Edison, EDF, Korea Electric Power Corporation and others on how VR can fit into the industry’s workforce.
• Consolidated Edison is utilising VR training which is one of the most popular learning experiences among employees to make its workforce ready for real dangers, enhancing their safety and proficiency.
• Indra, one of the leading global technology and consulting companies, has provided simulator-based training to Gas Natural Fenosa for over fifteen years. Most of the operators at the utility's coal-burning and combined-cycle power plants in Spain and its subsidiaries in Mexico presently receive training from Indra instructors.
• PG&E, a major Californian utility, delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy. Today, 33 percent of their delivered electricity comes from renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, small hydroelectric and various forms of bioenergy. PG&E utilizes plant data along with VR technology to offer a faster and safer way for utility personnel to examine equipment, reducing the probability of technicians getting injured or harmed.
• Siemens’ COMOS Walkinside – a 3D VR visualisation software solution – offers a virtual environment for immersive training sessions for power plant operators.

Virtual reality (VR) technology can help the Renewable Energy Sector to deliver workforce training and education in an immersive environment. Employees can now be trained effectively and efficiently on how to manage and respond to any situation.

Impacts of VR Training in the Renewable Energy Sector

1. Employees Learn Faster in VR

VR-Learners in the study completed training up to:

• 4x faster than classroom learners
• 5x faster than e-learners

1. VR-Learners are More Confident

VR-Learners in the study were up to:

• 275% more confident to act on what they learned after training

1. VR Learning Content Considered To Be More Emotionally Engaging

VR-Learners in the study felt:

• 75x more emotionally connected to content than classroom learners
• 3x more emotionally connected to content than e-learners

1. VR-Learners Feel Less Distracted

VR-Learners in the study were:

• 4x more focused than their e-learning peers
• 5x more focused than classroom learners

1. VR Training Proved To Be More Cost-Effective

At more than:

• For 375 learners, VR training cost less than classroom learning
• For 1,950 learners, VR training costs less than e-learning.

Wenergy Imparting VR Training in the Renewable Energy Sector

Wenergy is transforming training and assessment for professionals working in the Renewable energy sector. We envision a world where an institution can train whenever and wherever they need. No matter where they work. No matter the procedure. A world where companies and teams can practice together from anywhere, and empower themselves to grow with an accurate assessment and insightful data. So they can deliver better outcomes to the customers everywhere, flawlessly.

It is an immersive Virtual Reality Platform, meant for imparting hands-on training in the domain of Renewable Energy for the Corporates, so that they can upskill the workers for relevant work at half the cost and time, thereby increasing their productivity by 1.5x.