Assessment of Remotely Operated Mulching Methods

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 November 2015

01 November 2016

12 months

£259,000

Power

Scotland

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)

Project Contact, Southern Electric Power Distribution plc (SEPD)

- Define risk assessment for the use of plant- Develop trial work programme- Evaluate commercially available options based upon the programme- Procure machine and carry out training- Commence trial period of 6 months- Compare methods and determine the viability of the innovative method The project will determine the viability of the use of remotely operated mulching methods

Within the SHEPD and SEPD Distribution network areas, together referred to as Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) within this registration form, tree cutting is considered to be a high risk activity. We are aiming to reduce the amount of manual chainsaw operation in hazardous areas where slips and trips are more likely. To do this we are trying to increase the amount of mechanised work we do, in particular by the use of forestry mulching machines. Forestry mulching is a land clearing method that uses a single machine to cut, grind, and clear vegetation. This project will potentially reduce the number of minor injuries and reportable safety incidents. Manoeuvrability and the size of traditional mulching machinery pose significant issues when working adjacent to a live network or at smaller sites. In normal circumstances where the proposed machinery will be used we would currently send four staff with a wood chipper where heavier machinery is not accessible. This project seeks to investigate the potential improvement of efficiency and safety through the use of remotely operated vehicles to carry out tasks associated with forestry mulching. The remote controlled forestry mulcher which can tackle banks of a 45 degree angles, not only minimises the risks to operators over the conventional cutting systems, but also aims to reduce the amount of vegetation on embankments on railways and motorways. The machine allows for stump grinding and ease of transportation to inaccessible places to be possible.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

10/07/18