Engineering software technology developed at the University of Strathclyde that allows for unrivalled monitoring of capital equipment is set to save the electric power industry millions of pounds.
The technology, Lumen®, is being launched by Strathclyde spin-out Bellrock Technology Ltd, and will turn the traditional model of software decision support upside down – allowing users, not developers, to define exactly the information they need and so helping them make better, timelier and cost-reducing decisions.
Current systems and sensors are stand alone in nature, produce high volumes of complex data and lack flexibility. Lumen overcomes those problems by providing a single front-end system that incorporates and intelligently recommends relevant analytic and diagnostic tools, and can be individually tailored by engineers to meet their needs.
Two of the UKs major power companies, SSE and Electricity North West, have already signed up to use the technology as Bellrock Technology prepares to roll it out across the industry. The company is also supported by the Energy Innovation Centre, a partnership between nine of the UK’s largest gas and electricity network operators.
Adam Brown, Operations Director for Bellrock Technology Ltd, said: “Diagnosing faults in critical equipment in the power industry is of vital importance, but currently, there isn’t one system that can gather all of the data and analyse it effectively.
“Lumen is unique and, as an intelligent, flexible platform, it provides engineers with a single system that delivers exactly the information they need – not only saving companies money but also highlighting previously unrecognised opportunities for revenue generation.
“The technology provides valuable insight for equipment management, helping companies to determine when equipment is safe to use, when rated outputs can be temporarily exceeded for financial gain, when asset lifetimes can be extended and costly replacement deferred, and when faults mean maintenance is required.
“Whoever the engineer is, whatever their role, they can use the platform and get the information relevant to them. This level of user-configurability is unique to Lumen and is the result of working with industry to deliver a product that effectively serves their many requirements.”
Bellrock Technology and Lumen are the result of a two-year project undertaken within the Institute for Energy and Environment at the University of Strathclyde, supported by Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme and the European Regional Development Fund’s Executive Director Designate Programme.
Prior to start-up, the company also won the 2011 Converge Challenge, a national business plan competition for research entrepreneurs in Scotland, and was runner-up in the 2012 Royal Academy of Engineering ERA Foundation Entrepreneur Award.
Professor Stephen McArthur, Technical Director of Bellrock Technology and head of the University’s Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, said: “This technology is the latest example of the University’s commitment to working with industry to provide practical solutions that will benefit the economy in Scotland, the UK and beyond.
“Bellrock Technology is a direct result of outcome of internationally leading research informed by strong engagement with utility and industrial partners. Its unique technology will drive down costs, improve performance and maximise the lifespan of critical equipment.
“While the company will start delivering products for the electrical power network operators in the UK, its technology has wide applicability across a number of industries, including power generation, renewable energy, transport and oil and gas.”
The launch of the technology comes after the University of Strathclyde was named Times Higher Education’s UK University of the Year. Judges described the University as a “bold, imaginative and innovative institution” and said the University’s dedication to working with industry took concrete form in the past year.
Further information:
John Beaton
Media and Corporate Communications
University of Strathclyde
T: 0141 548 2924
E: ccorporatecomms@strath.ac.uk
