Garver, GE Global Research, Warren Environmental honored with Emerging Technology of the Year Award

At the first Underground Construction Awards program held during the Underground Construction Technology (UCT) International Conference & Exhibition this week in Orlando, Florida, Garver was proud to be a part of a project team honored in the Emerging Technology of the Year category.

Given to a team consisting of GE Global Research, Warren Environmental, and Garver, the award recognized the PLUTO Trenchless Gas Pipeline Rehabilitation System, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s groundbreaking ARPA-E REPAIR Program. The innovative trenchless technologies are being developed to address the needs of aging gas pipeline infrastructure that account for a large percentage of leakage and failures in distribution systems throughout the United States. The long-distance, minimally invasive robotic pipe repair methodology will structurally rehabilitate gas pipelines at unprecedented speeds and at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional open-cut excavation replacement.

“The PLUTO system features several technological advantages that have the potential to be game-changers for the spray-applied pipe lining sector and for the trenchless rehabilitation industry in general,” said Garver Infrastructure Practice Leader Jeff Maier, PE. “Our team is very proud of the accomplishments of this unique program and excited for what the future holds as the PLUTO system progresses towards commercialization.”

Described as next-generation trenchless rehabilitation for gas pipelines, this technology will help improve legacy gas pipeline infrastructure, initially focusing on cast iron and bare steel pipes, most of which are well beyond their service life throughout the United States. With current methods, replacing or repairing such pipelines can be extremely costly, time consuming, and disruptive to surrounding areas.

Developed through the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) REPAIR Program, which helps fund high-impact technologies, this technology can help eliminate costly pipe replacement by rehabilitating pipes without removal. The developed PLUTO Trenchless Gas Pipeline Rehabilitation System provides minimally invasive pipeline inspection and rehabilitation capabilities, economical infrastructure maintenance, a highly adaptive multi-functional robotic platform, rapid pipeline rehabilitation with long range capabilities, and structural and semi-structural lining capabilities.

In the future, the PLUTO system could also be applied to nuclear and power plant cooling pipes, potable and raw water pipelines, emerging hydrogen pipeline applications, and wastewater pipelines.

To learn more about what Garver’s Water Technology Team can do for you, visit our Water Technology Team.