A Spanish robot supports radiological characterisation during the decommissioning of Garoña
Spanish robotic technology has been deployed at the Santa María de Garoña nuclear power plant (Burgos) to support the detection and safe management of radioactive waste during its dismantling phase.
A quadruped robot will be used to develop an autonomous solution for automatically characterising materials, walls and floors for the decommissioning and dismantling of the Santa María de Garoña Nuclear Power Plant.
GD Energy Services (GDES), a member of Foro Nuclear, is participating in the development of an autonomous robot aimed at carrying out radiological characterisation of radioactive materials at the Garoña plant, currently undergoing decommissioning. The robot is part of the facility’s Decommissioning and Closure Plan and is intended to ensure the safe and efficient management of radioactive waste.
The autonomous robot pioneers the use of spectrometry-based technologies in nuclear environments, improving the accuracy and safety of waste characterisation
The robot has been designed and supplied by a temporary joint venture (UTE) formed by Alisys and GD Energy Services (GDES), and is based on the Spot Enterprise quadruped robot developed by Boston Dynamics. It is equipped with a high-precision robotic arm and an advanced spectrometric analysis system that automatically detects and analyses the type and intensity of radiation, enabling real-time classification.
The system is capable of operating autonomously in complex environments and is connected to a cloud platform for remote control and data management. This facilitates safer and more efficient operations during the various phases of the dismantling process.
Innovation applied to waste management
The use of robotic technology helps to optimise the identification and classification of radioactive waste, while reducing personnel exposure to radiation. It also supports compliance with occupational safety standards and the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
Through this strategic collaboration, GDES and Alisys are reinforcing their commitment to technological innovation and the automation of nuclear waste management, helping position the Spanish nuclear industry as a benchmark in innovation and safety.
Spain’s nuclear industry stands out for its advanced technological capabilities and ongoing commitment to innovation
The Spanish nuclear sector is characterised by its high level of specialisation and robust technological foundation, supported by a sustained strategy of innovation, continuous improvement and the development of advanced capabilities. This approach has consolidated the sector as one of the most technologically developed within the national industrial framework, with growing international influence.
Today, Spanish nuclear companies operate in over 40 countries, exporting comprehensive solutions across the entire nuclear value chain—from design engineering and plant operation to waste management and decommissioning. This international projection not only reflects their competitiveness, but also their ability to transfer knowledge and technology to other strategic sectors such as aerospace, industrial automation and advanced robotics.
Cover photo: GDES
