Stepping into the future of (virtual) energy

Who would have thought that one day engineers could train to install a heat pump without ever setting foot in a customer’s house? Or that it would be possible to tour a complex power plant from the comfort of your home?

Thanks to virtual reality (VR), we’re on a journey to transform how people interact with energy sites, energy skills, and technology – making them more accessible, immersive and interactive than ever before.

VR allows us to refine engineering plans, test ideas and train our engineers in a risk-free environment — improving safety, streamlining processes and minimising risks before developments even break ground. As part of our Mission Zero commitment, this technology helps create safer working conditions by allowing engineers to practice complex procedures without real-world hazards. Our Digital Technology (DT) team is also on a mission to bring the power of Extended Reality (XR) to customers, showing them how smart energy solutions like heat pumps and solar panels would function in their homes before we even lift a finger.

As this technology moves from gaming to game-changing, we’re actively exploring its business potential – and a visit to the new XR (Extended Reality) lab at our Essen headquarters shows just how far this technology has come, and how it could soon shape the energy sector in ways we’re only beginning to explore.  E.ON have already developed a ‘home of the future’ simulation, helping us not only to understand how green tech fits into homes but also how it interacts with the environment, and the people who depend upon it. If we can create smarter homes through immersive VR, why not create smarter cities or even entire communities?

Virtual reality, real innovation

Imagine exploring the inner workings of a power plant without needing a hard hat or stepping foot on-site. Thanks to VR, this is now a reality. At E.ON, we’re already developing immersive VR simulations to enable users to navigate energy sites remotely, making them more accessible and interactive than ever before. This is especially crucial for improving accessibility, ensuring that those with mobility challenges can engage with energy systems just as easily.

Beyond virtual tours, one of the most exciting opportunities lies in training the next generation of energy experts. Engineers can practice control room scenarios or simulate equipment repairs without real-world risks, enhancing learning and improving safety. By combining VR with AI, immersive digital twins - virtual replicas of physical systems - can be created. This will allow us to test changes at our power plants, optimise operations and identify potential risks before they occur. This technology is set to streamline training across E.ON, from power plants to our Net Zero Training Academy, making our energy systems safer and more efficient.

Customer focused innovation

And it’s not just our teams benefiting from this tech. We’re planning to use VR and XR to help our customers too.

We’re exploring ways we can use these technologies to make their experience even smoother. From using smart tech to pinpoint where smart meters are located to finding the perfect spot for an EV charger at a customer’s home, VR and XR are opening doors to new solutions that make life simpler and more effective for our customers. Even the most vulnerable people could benefit from these immersive technologies, by creating virtual spaces that are tailored to allow people to experience environments that they might find difficult to access in the real world.

The next frontier

As this tech evolves, so do the possibilities. VR is already helping us streamline design processes, engage stakeholders and boost operational efficiency across our energy sites. And this is just the beginning - its potential stretches far beyond training, offering groundbreaking ways to optimise and interact with energy solutions.

From advanced training techniques to improved accessibility, VR is paving the way for a smarter, more inclusive future in energy. And the best part? It’s making energy solutions more affordable for our customers.