Category: Updates

Hyperion Robotics has reached a major milestone in low-carbon infrastructure delivery after successfully completing laboratory and real-world testing of the UK’s first low-carbon substation foundations for National Grid.

Developed in collaboration with National Grid Electricity Transmission and the University of Sheffield, the project demonstrates how next-generation foundation systems can significantly reduce embodied carbon while exceeding the structural performance requirements of safety-critical energy infrastructure.

Full-scale testing of low-carbon substation foundations

To validate the strength, stability and reliability of the foundations, Hyperion and its partners delivered a comprehensive full-scale testing programme covering both controlled laboratory conditions and live site environments.

Two laboratory tests were carried out at the University of Sheffield’s Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research Centre (ICAIR):

• Tension tests
• Overturning moment tests

These were followed by a real-world overturning test at National Grid’s Yorkshire Green site, supported by Murphy, the site’s principal contractor and operator.

This approach allowed National Grid to assess how the low-carbon foundations behave across ground conditions typically found at substations in England and Wales, providing confidence beyond theoretical modelling alone.

Structural performance exceeds National Grid requirements

The results of the testing programme exceeded expectations across all foundation sizes.

• Small foundations achieved eight times the required safety factor
• Medium and large foundations achieved three times their expected capacity

All foundations passed the full-scale on-site overturning tests, meeting or exceeding the performance thresholds set by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).

These results demonstrate that Hyperion’s low-carbon foundation system is suitable for deployment in demanding, safety-critical energy infrastructure environments – without compromising strength, safety or compliance.

Reducing embodied carbon in substation construction

Alongside structural performance, the project focused on reducing the environmental impact of substation construction.

Across the full testing programme, Hyperion’s foundations delivered an average 56% reduction in concrete volume compared with traditional foundation designs. This reduction highlights the potential for significant embodied carbon savings at scale, while maintaining full structural integrity.

By optimising geometry and material use, Hyperion’s approach shows how low-carbon foundations can play a meaningful role in decarbonising energy infrastructure from the ground up.

Collaboration accelerating low-carbon infrastructure innovation

The project represents a UK-first collaboration between National Grid, Hyperion Robotics and the University of Sheffield, combining innovation, research and real-world delivery.

Hyperion also acknowledges Murphy as a key collaborator in enabling the on-site testing programme and supporting a robust evaluation of foundation performance in live operating conditions.

Together, the partnership demonstrates how collaborative innovation can de-risk new construction approaches and accelerate their adoption across the utilities sector.

Scaling low-carbon foundations across UK energy infrastructure

So what did each organisation have to say about the achievement?

Commenting on the milestone, Fernando De los Rios, CEO and Founder of Hyperion Robotics, said:

“The successful completion of rigorous testing with National Grid confirms that our next-generation foundation system is not only strong and code-compliant, but consistent across laboratory and real-world environments. Achieving these results with significantly less material is a major step forward for smarter, greener infrastructure. Together with National Grid and the University of Sheffield, we’re proving that advanced, low-carbon construction technologies are ready to scale and ready to support the UK’s energy transition.”

Dr Muhammad Shaban, Lead Innovation Engineer at National Grid Electricity Transmission, added:

“Passing these tests is a huge step forward in our commitment to leverage innovation to future-proof the network. This project has shown that low-carbon alternatives to conventional concrete foundations can deliver both the structural performance and sustainability benefits we need. It’s the first trial of its kind in the UK, and the success paves the way for wider adoption across the energy sector.”

Ready to support the energy transition

With laboratory and on-site validation complete, the project marks an important step towards wider adoption of low-carbon foundations for energy infrastructure across the UK.

For Hyperion, it reinforces a clear principle: cutting carbon and energy use doesn’t start at the surface – it starts at the foundations.

Talk to us about cutting carbon from the ground up.

At Hyperion Robotics, we believe the future of infrastructure demands more than incremental improvement. It requires a fundamental shift in how the built environment is designed, delivered, and maintained. A shift toward safer, smarter, and faster solutions that enable the UK – and the world – to decarbonise essential systems without compromising performance, resilience, or cost.

This belief is at the heart of our new vision and mission.

A future where infrastructure works harder for the planet

Infrastructure is the backbone of modern life: it keeps our energy flowing, our water clean, our transport networks moving, and our communities connected. But building it has traditionally been slow, resource-intensive, and carbon-heavy.

We want to change that.

Our vision at Hyperion Robotics is a world where essential infrastructure is delivered with radically lower carbon, greater safety, and dramatically improved speed – unlocking the foundations for a net-zero future.

This vision goes far beyond a single technology. It’s about rethinking materials, processes, and engineering so we can help industries overcome the constraints of traditional construction and accelerate progress where it matters most.

Empowering the industry with smarter, verifiable solutions

Our mission is to equip major utilities, contractors, and infrastructure owners with advanced, code-compliant solutions that deliver measurable performance improvements – whether the goal is carbon reduction, faster delivery, or enhanced resilience.

We do this by combining high-performance materials, digital design, industrial robotics, and rigorous engineering standards into a streamlined, predictable production system. Every foundation we design and manufacture is backed by testing, data, and validation – because credibility underpins everything we deliver.

Our recent collaboration with National Grid to test 3D-printed substation foundations is a perfect example: the industry needs solutions that are not only innovative, but proven. Innovation is only valuable when it works at scale, stands up to real-world conditions, and gives infrastructure owners the confidence to adopt new approaches.

Learn more about how we are leading the charge in sustainable construction in our recent webinar Building Smarter and Faster: The Future of UK Infrastructure.

From concept to construction – without compromise

As we grow, we are committed to supporting the UK’s transition to next-generation infrastructure. With interest from major businesses and ongoing commercial projects, we are preparing to open a UK manufacturing facility to better serve national utilities and contractors.

This marks a major milestone – not just for Hyperion, but for the wider sector. It brings low-carbon, digitally delivered infrastructure one step closer to becoming standard practice rather than a future ambition.

Already, our technology has helped clients save over 100 tonnes of CO₂, demonstrating the tangible impact new methods can make. And we are only at the beginning.

Building a smarter, faster, lower-carbon future – together

Our mission is not just Hyperion’s mission. It’s a shared challenge across the entire construction ecosystem. The industry is under pressure to build more, build better, and build greener – without increasing risk or cost.

By working hand-in-hand with partners, researchers, industry bodies, and infrastructure owners, we aim to accelerate the adoption of solutions that bring these goals within reach.

We believe collaboration is the key to unlocking a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure network – and we’re committed to enabling that shift with technology that’s ready for real-world deployment today.

Is your organisation ready to join us? If so, contact us here.

At Hyperion Robotics, we are thrilled to announce a remarkable accomplishment – we have successfully passed the ISO and SSIP Accreditation Audit with zero issues raised. This outstanding result is a direct reflection of our commitment to excellence, our meticulous attention to detail, and the extraordinary teamwork demonstrated by our entire organisation.

Why this matters

Achieving these certifications is no small feat. The audit process is rigorous, covering every aspect of our operations to ensure we meet the highest international standards. It is designed to challenge and examine organisations thoroughly, verifying compliance and commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, occupational health and safety, and supply chain accountability.

At Hyperion Robotics, our focus was on achieving accreditation for three core ISO standards plus SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement):

• ISO 9001 for quality management, ensuring our processes consistently deliver on customer satisfaction and exceed expectations.
• ISO 14001 for environmental management, reflecting our dedication to sustainability and minimising environmental impacts.
• ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, showcasing our duty of care to provide a safe, healthy workplace for our team.
• SSIP Accreditation, prioritising health and safety compliance through industry-recognised procurement standards.

Passing this rigorous audit without a single issue raised highlights the strength of our systems, processes, and organisational culture.

The journey to accreditation

While the result is worth celebrating, the road to success was not without its challenges. Preparing for these certifications required discipline, focus, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. However, our team rose to the occasion.

Through collaboration, diligence, and an eye for detail, every member of our organisation played a role in this achievement. We carefully examined our operations, identified areas for improvement, and implemented solutions to meet and surpass the necessary requirements. Each effort was guided by our mission to stay at the forefront of innovation while maintaining the highest level of integrity and responsibility in everything we do.

Our success would not have been possible without the exceptional guidance of ISOQAR, our trusted certification provider. Their expertise ensured that the audit process was both thorough and constructive, providing us the opportunity to truly demonstrate the strength of our commitment to these globally recognised standards.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Louise Billington from IQMA Limited for her invaluable support and guidance throughout this process.

A commitment to excellence

This achievement is more than just a certification; it is a testament to our values and our culture at Hyperion Robotics. It reflects who we are as an organisation – a team that values precision, puts people first, and strives for continuous improvement. We understand that true success is not about cutting corners but about taking the time to get every detail right.

Moving forward, these certifications will serve as a foundation as we continue to innovate and grow. They reinforce our belief in building sustainable systems, protecting our employees, and delivering reliable, high-quality solutions to our clients.

Thank you to our team

This moment belongs to every member of the Hyperion Robotics team. It is the result of hard work, resilience, and collaboration. Your dedication has not only helped us reach this milestone but has also set us up for even greater achievements in the future.

We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and excited about what lies ahead. Passing the ISO and SSIP Accreditation Audit with zero issues is a fantastic step forward, and we remain committed to achieving new heights of excellence for our customers, our team, and the industry we serve.

Here’s to many more victories ahead.

For more information or to explore potential partnerships, contact contact@hyperionrobotics.com.

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Hyperion Robotics is reshaping the way the UK approaches infrastructure projects. By integrating cutting-edge 3D printing technology and proprietary low-carbon concrete materials, the company addresses some of the construction industry’s most pressing challenges, including project timelines, costs, and sustainability.

With £700 billion worth of infrastructure planned to be built in the UK over the next decade, the industry is under immense pressure to deliver projects that are not only on time and within budget but also align with strict sustainability goals. Hyperion Robotics has stepped up to the challenge by offering solutions that are not only Eurocodes compliant, but also significantly reduce costs, shorten programme durations, and cut CO2 emissions, helping contractors and asset owners tackle these obstacles head-on.

Key reductions realised in first projects:

• 75% reduction in material use
  By leveraging robotic automation, Hyperion designs and produces advanced concrete structures using only a fraction of the materials required by traditional methods.
• 70% decrease in CO2 emissions
  The company’s low-carbon concrete solutions dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects, supporting the UK’s push toward net-zero goals.
• 70% programme savings
  By employing highly efficient localised microfactories, Hyperion accelerates project timelines while maintaining precision and reducing logistical challenges.
• 20-30% cost savings for stakeholders
  Automation and efficiency translate directly into financial benefits, with Hyperion helping clients cut costs without compromising on quality.

Hyperion’s integration of parametric design, robotics, and circular materials not only enhances design flexibility but also significantly improves worker safety and reduces on-site risks by up to 21%. This approach has already been implemented in various sectors, with projects ranging from low-carbon foundations for energy plants for Iberdrola to bespoke drawpits for critical water infrastructure for Yorkshire Water and Mott MacDonald Bentley.

A key strength of Hyperion lies in its user-friendly business model, which ensures a seamless and efficient transition to 3D printing technology for projects of any scale. By prioritising streamlined integration processes and offering comprehensive support, Hyperion enables contractors and asset owners to quickly adopt their solutions and fully realise the tangible benefits of advanced automation and robotics.

“The £700 billion infrastructure investment presents a monumental opportunity for innovation and Hyperion Robotics is uniquely positioned to deliver the smarter, greener, and more cost-effective solutions the industry demands,” said Fernando De los Rios, CEO of Hyperion Robotics. “With our advanced technology, we’re proving that sustainability and efficiency can coexist without compromise. This transformation is not a future concept; it’s happening now, and we’re proud to lead the charge.”

For more information or to explore potential partnerships, contact contact@hyperionrobotics.com.

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