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Repairing power lines in the aftermath of a storm is tough enough, but sometimes finding and assessing the damage is an even harder chore, as utilities well know. Fallen trees, icy roads and other obstacles frequently make it incredibly difficult for crews to reach locations to evaluate damage to distribution lines.

 

But the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been working on the challenge and has come up with what sounds like a real solution: unmanned aircraft (drones) equipped with high-definition video cameras that can transmit useful real-time information to utilities. By transmitting the images from heights of from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, the drones can send accurate information to help utilities evaluate the damage.

 

"Our research clearly shows that drones may provide utilities a tool that could reduce outage restoration time," said Matthew Olearczyk, senior program manager for distribution research at EPRI. "Using live streaming video information, utility system operations would be able to dramatically improve damage assessment."

 

And that better information can help operators more quickly and effectively send out crews, determine repair priorities and communicate more accurate and up-to-date information to customers.

 

Researchers evaluated a number of drone technologies in terms of aircraft performance, control systems and payload. EPRI found that drones could be deployed quickly, making it possible for utilities to cover a much larger area than ground crews can. The organization also is looking at drones and their remote sensing technologies for overhead transmission line inspections.

 

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Next page: Read the EPRI press release >>

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Drone use

With the greatest of respect, this isn't really news. In the UK, my company has been using them for some years for our own distribution network. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/low/people_and_places/newsid_8703000/8703646.stm and have just signed a deal with an arial rov company.

Paul Scotson - 04/05/2012 - 06:38

drones

In San Diego, we have been devastated by wildfires with waves of 100 foot flames that exploded everything in their paths for miles(local utility lines have been sited for the cause of these fires in some instances). Drones seem to be an inexpensive approach to checking distribution as part of scheduled inspection/maintenance but also as part of first response to wildfires. I would like to see those videos being shared in real time with public safety for joint emergency efforts; both the utility and Emergency Response (police/fire) services should run routine mock deployments so ensure that they can share vital information BEFORE another emergency, when minutes means lives.

joan mccaffrey - 05/04/2012 - 13:46

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