ULC and SGN Win Innovation Product of the Year at IGEM and EUA’s Gas Industry Awards
The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) and The Energy and Utilities Alliance recognized ULC Robotics and SGN at their annual Innovation Awards Ceremony held Tuesday, May 9th in London. The companies were successful in winning the Innovation Product of the Year Award for the research, development, and deployment of the groundbreaking CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ Robotic System.
“We are honored to have the CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ System win the Innovation Product of the Year Award. It recognizes the development of the systems from concept to commercialization, “said Gus McIntosh, Innovation Technology Manager, SGN. “The commercialization of CIRRIS systems is groundbreaking in that it allows SGN to assess the integrity of the cast iron network providing safe, reliable service to customers.”
The CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ are the result of a nearly two-year long project that would allow gas utilities to extend the life of large diameter cast iron pipeline infrastructure by internally assessing the condition of cast iron pipelines and then repairing and preventing gas leaks at the joints of cast iron gas main. To minimize disruption to the public, both of these groundbreaking robots can carry out their work in live gas mains. The development of the robotic system was a partnership between the two companies based off of the successful launch of the CISBOT rehabilitation program in 2013.
“For more than 20 years, ULC has been working with gas and energy networks to provide them with cutting-edge, innovative robotic technology,” said Gregory Penza, President, and CEO, ULC. “Our systems are designed specifically to benefit gas and energy networks, their customers and the environments in which they operate. On behalf of the ULC and SGN Innovation teams, we thank IGEM and EUA for the recognition of the dedication put into the development of the CIRRIS Robotic System.”
The Gas Industry Awards is one of the largest and most prestigious events in the gas industry. Organized by IGEM and EUA, the awards honor the outstanding companies and people who make the gas industry great.
