Remote Operations in Challenging Environments Training Course
What does it take to maintain or decommission a plant using remotely operated robots and cameras?
This course aims to provide managers, designers and operators with a broad view of the Remote Operations specialism including:
- Design and specification of remotely operated equipment.
- Rules for tool design.
- Software infrastructure must-haves for efficiency, safety and accountability.
- Risk reduction measures in high consequence environments.
- Building a remote operations team: people, processes and culture.
- Plant design considerations.
Who this course is for?
This course is designed for professionals involved in strategy, design and operations from organisations:
- at the concept design stage, seeking to understand how to ‘design for remote’ and its impact on commercial viability.
- without remote operations experience, needing to learn how to develop a functioning system and build a successful team.
- aiming to operate “safer, faster, more cost‑effectively”, looking to introduce human-in-the-loop remote operations.
- looking to upskill their workforce in remote operations while leveraging existing remote infrastructure and facilities.
Our approach
Interactive and engaging courses: discussions and hands-on sessions reinforce the core principles.
Use of industry-leading robotic equipment at RACE for firsthand experience.
Universal application of principles: While the principles taught have been developed in the fusion sector, they are relevant to any environment where remote equipment is used and mistakes could be costly.
Remote handling at UKAEA
RACE is the UKAEA’s centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments. Its Remote Handling Team has been remotely maintaining the Joint European Torus (JET), a fusion machine located in Oxfordshire, since the 1980s. Currently, in its decommissioning phase, JET is being stripped from the inside out using teleoperated equipment deployed on robotic booms.
With over 30,000 hours of in-vessel operational experience, RACE provides training and consultancy services to remote handling teams in the UK, the US, Sweden and Fukushima in Japan, spanning the fusion, big science and nuclear decommissioning sectors.
Utilising robotics to perform tasks ensures the safety of personnel by keeping them out of hazardous environments, speeds up task completion and reduces costs. Such specialised experience is rare in the industry due to the time required to develop it. Through this course, we aim to share our knowledge and equip professionals across various sectors with the essential skills for remote operations.