3D Printed Energy Infrastructure With Lower Material Consumption

Spanish company Iberdrola specializes in electricity and natural gas, offering distribution and marketing solutions. Recently, it collaborated with the manufacturer Hyperion Robotics and Peikko to 3D print the foundations of its green energy transmission networks. Specifically, they envisioned an pad foundation, a shallow foundation that takes and spreads point loads safely, made of concrete, for substation projects not only using 75% less material but also improving the production method of these critical structures.

Concrete is now one of the most consumed materials on Earth, generating about 8% of global carbon emissions. However, its production is growing rapidly, which could have disastrous environmental consequences for our planet. Faced with this ecological dilemma, several players have focused on concrete 3D printing to reduce their impact by offering less harmful alternatives. Indeed, it is common knowledge that additive manufacturing uses only the material it needs, thus reducing the waste generated. Hyperion Robotics is one of these players, using robotic arms to extrude concrete layer by layer.

Photo Credits: Hyperion Robotics

More sustainable energy transmission networks?

Its 3D printing solutions were recently used on behalf of Iberdrola, a group that builds miles of power lines to distribute renewable energy. As the company expands, it is looking to develop more grids to carry so-called green energy. It has turned to concrete 3D printing to design more efficient means of transmission that are less harmful to our planet.