Hannah
08 Jan 2026
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.
