Low-cost energy infrastructure construction based on 3D printing

Spanish company Iberdrola specialises in electricity and gas-related infrastructure, as well as distribution and marketing solutions.Most recently, it partnered with manufacturers Hyperion Robotics and Peikko on its green
energy
The infrastructure of the transmission network is attempted to be 3D printed. They designed a pad foundation – a shallow foundation that safely withstands and distributes point loads, made of concrete for the substation project, not only reducing material by 75%, but improving the production of these critical structures method.

Concrete is now one of the most consumed materials on the planet, generating about 8% of global carbon emissions. However, its production is rapidly increasing, which could have disastrous environmental consequences for the planet. Faced with this ecological dilemma, some players have focused on concrete 3D printing to reduce its impact by offering less harmful alternatives. In fact, additive manufacturing technology uses only the materials it needs, thus reducing the waste generated. One of them is Hyperion Robotics, which uses a robotic arm to extrude concrete layer by layer.

The Iberdrola group builds miles of power lines to distribute renewable energy. As the company expands, it is looking to develop more grids to carry green energy. The company has turned to concrete 3D printing to design more efficient means of transport to reduce damage to the planet.

Hyperion Robotics proposes the structural form of the foundation, using 75% less structural concrete than traditional construction methods. However, the shapes of these designs are special and often require skilled labor, which is unfortunately lacking in the market. By using additive manufacturing, the Spanish group was able to break free from this shackles.

Henry Unterreiner, co-founder of Hyperion Robotics, explains: “The fundamentals of 3D printing are very special. A world first – it saves 75% of material compared to conventional foundations commonly found in energy infrastructure. By conducting multiple tests, the team concluded that under horizontal and vertical traction, only 25% of the concrete can be used to achieve the same strength as that obtained through traditional processes. These results are decisive, especially since Hyperion Robotics’ solution uses reinforced concrete with a low carbon content. Manufacturers use materials such as ash, slag, and demolition waste, reducing CO2 emissions and costs by 90 percent.The foundation has been successfully installed in Finland, marking the
architecture
The beginning of a great collaboration between industries!

(responsible editor: admin)