You’re responsible for power line inspections. How can you do it more efficiently?

Drones, offer various benefits in inspecting power lines and their surroundings. These flying devices, whether controlled remotely or autonomously, can carry cameras and sensors to capture detailed images and data. Using drones brings cost savings by covering more ground in less time compared to traditional methods, enhancing safety by minimizing workers' exposure to hazardous conditions and accessing difficult-to-reach areas without causing harm

Drones can be a lifesaver in inspecting powerlines but not only that. They can assist in operations like Cable Stringing or Cable Pulling. Some drones like the FlyingBasket FB3 are capable of lifting 100kg of weight and have demostrated their capabilities at pulling the guiding cable over valleys or geographical accidents, lifting the real cable to the top of the tower without needing a crane or assisting the crews transport heavy equipment on difficult terrains.

To enhance power line inspections, leverage advanced drone technology for efficient and thorough assessments. Equip long-endurance drones, like those from Okulo Aerospace, capable of covering extensive distances. These drones provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data, allowing for quicker identification of issues such as damage or vegetation encroachment. Incorporate AI-powered analytics to automate anomaly detection, streamlining the inspection process. By embracing drones with extended flight times and cutting-edge features, power line inspections become more accurate, timely, and cost-effective.

For the overall surveying industry, including powerline infrastructure inspection - drone usage brings vital time and money saving and decreases exposure of staff to dangerous environments. On top of that, it enables a great level of automation, especially through survey planning software such as UgCS, which provides convenient tools to acquire data of any powerline inspection type to detect: - Concrete basement defects - Insulator overheating - Wire overheating - Wire breaks - Tower mechanical defects - Corridor inspection to detect unauthorized objects or vegetation in secured territory - Wire sag estimation

En el Perú se tienen día a día problemas con el robo de energía eléctrica en zonas industriales en las afueras de la ciudad de Lima. Tras todo esto hay un enorme trabajo de investigación para poder llegar con ayuda de muchísimo trabajo de campo llegar a buenas conclusiones para poder dar con estos delitos. En la actualidad poder contar con equipos peque?os, ligeros y con payloads que permiten satisfacer necesidades que se presentan en la actualidad hace que los trabajos sean más profesionales. El uso de cámaras térmicas de alta resolución permite hoy en día desde el aire captar y sacar conclusiones que se sabe quédese el suelo no es posible. Drones abren soluciones al mundo.

For UAV survey missions such as powerline inspections, the choice lies between fix wing or copter drones. The choice of equipment depends on the type of inspection. The most obvious pros and cons of fixed-wing vs. copter drones: Fixed wing - Pros: long range and high speed - Cons: not possible to hover, not possible to fly very close to an object, higher safe altitude, smaller payload capacity, bigger area for take-off and landing, images can be blurry due to high speed. Copter drones - Pros: hover over an object, possible to fly very close to an object, lower safe altitude, high payload capacity, small area for take-off and landing. - Cons: short range and low speed.

There are various types of drones suitable for power line inspections, and your choice depends on your specific requirements and resources. Fixed-wing drones, resembling airplanes with wings, are ideal for surveying vast and distant areas like transmission lines or rural networks. Rotary-wing drones, equipped with propellers like helicopters, are well-suited for navigating small and intricate spaces such as distribution lines or urban networks. Hybrid drones, combining features of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, are a versatile option for medium-sized areas like substations or corridors.

Creo mucho en los drones de desarrollo, trabajé en una compa?ía peruana llamada Robotic Air Systems, de gran potencial de ingeniería que hoy en día en el Perú doy confirmación que ha desarrollado equipos capaces de soportar escenarios que son imposibles para muchos drones que se fabrican en el mundo. En este tipo de equipos la práctica de testar un drone es muy importante. muchos equipos pueden en sus especificaciones técnicas decir muchas cualidades pero no son probados en todos los escenarios. Es por eso que es muy importante saber qué drone usar y para qué tipo de escenario esta dise?ado para poder trabajar. Pues sino suele pasar luego muchos problemas operacionales.

Cuando hacemos vuelos con drones, es muy importante la seguridad. Tema que es delicado pues es mejor estar prevenidos a esperar que suceda un accidente. Para esto el evaluar y potenciar el conocimiento constantemente en este tipo de materias es fundamental para cualquier piloto profesional. Pues hoy en día cada vez hay mas escenarios para los drones y cada nuevo escenario supone nuevos peligros. Peligros que para cualquier gestión supone crear nuevos procedimientos. Cada trabajo es un aprendizaje nuevo.

When utilizing drones for power line inspections, it's essential to follow some key practices. Start by planning and securing the required permissions, licenses, and insurance. Choose suitable and well-maintained equipment, ensuring it's calibrated for accuracy. Adhere to local regulations, prioritizing safety, privacy, and ethical considerations during drone flights. Show respect for the property and rights of others nearby. Finally, after collecting data, handle it securely, making it easily accessible for storage, sharing, and reporting purposes.

Defining the geography of inspection is the essential thing for mission planning. Typically customers ordering an inspection provide coordinates of the inspection area to UAV service provider in some common format like CSV or KML. This type of format can be easily imported into into survey planning software such as UgCS to have a precise mission for the specific infrastructure. For inspection flights at a complex landscape, it is also mandatory to check the whole route according to landscape profile and create a safe flight.

When employing drones for power line inspections, challenges like interference, security, and regulations may arise. To tackle interference, opt for drones equipped with strong communication systems, anti-collision features, and reliable backup modes. Ensure security by using drones with encryption, authentication, and protective mechanisms.

Stay informed and compliant with aviation & safety regulations governing drone operations. I have established a continuous monitoring system for regulatory updates, ensuring that all drone operations are certified & compliant, thus avoiding legal and operational setbacks. Ensure drone operators are thoroughly trained & certified, not just in piloting drones but also in recognising power line faults. By developing a comprehensive training programme for operators, I have enhanced the quality of inspections and the ability to identify subtle issues that may otherwise be overlooked. Develop robust post-flight analysis protocols and data management systems to efficiently handle and analyse the vast amounts of data collected during inspections.