Enerza's Solution: Overcoming the Challenges of Inspecting Distribution Lines in Remote Areas

Inspecting distribution lines is a vital annual process which ensures the safety and reliability of the grid. However, inspecting distribution lines in remote areas comes with many challenges. Remote areas are often characterized by harsh environmental conditions that can make it challenging to inspect and maintain the distribution grid. Yet, the reliability of the grid in these regions is just as crucial as in urban centers. When performing inspections, pole integrity, conductors, presence of hazards, such as trees, and more must be investigated and checked. Traditional methods of inspection are often costly, time-consuming, and fraught with limitations. According to national?lineman?surveys and utility company data,?42 for every 100,000 lineman?are killed on the job each year.?This where Enerza comes in, not only to uphold the reliability of the power grid (even in remote areas) but to save lives. Enerza presents an innovative solution that promises to revolutionize how utility providers assess and maintain power lines in remote locations. Today we will dive into the issues faced when it comes inspecting distribution lines in remote areas and how Enerza can save the day for not only utilities, but linemen and the community as a whole who depend on reliable electricity.

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Environmental Conditions

Environmental factors pose substantial obstacles to effective inspection efforts. The difficult terrain and weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or strong winds, can make it difficult to access and inspect the distribution grid. This not only endangers the safety of inspection crews but also degrade the condition of power lines themselves. ?Natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires are especially dangerous in remote areas, where the infrastructure is outdated. Combined with harsh environmental conditions of remote areas, maintenance of power lines after a natural disaster can be a very tedious and time-consuming process. From locating the damage to the grid, to transporting material, to updating the power lines, the process can take a lot of time, leaving many homes without access to electricity.??With additional factors such as dense vegetation and wildlife habitats, this often obscures the visibility and impede access to power line corridors, making it challenging to identify potential hazards or faults. Moreover, these environmental factors can exacerbate the wear and tear on power line infrastructure, leading to increased maintenance needs and reduced reliability of the grid.

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Lack of Accessibility??

Another significant challenge of inspecting and maintaining the distribution grid in remote areas is the lack of accessibility. Remote areas are characterized by unruly terrain and untamed vegetation. Therefore, inadequate transportation infrastructure can make it challenging to reach remote areas. Additionally, the limited availability of skilled personnel poses a significant challenge, as it may be difficult to find personnel with the necessary skills and experience to inspect and maintain the distribution grid in these areas.?

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Limited Infrastructure

Limited infrastructure presents a significant barrier to effective power line inspection in remote areas. These regions often lack basic amenities such as roads, telecommunications, and power supply, making it difficult to establish and maintain a robust inspection infrastructure. Without reliable access to resources and support services, inspection crews face logistical challenges in transporting equipment and coordinating activities. Moreover, the absence of telecommunications infrastructure complicates communication between inspection crews and central control centers, impeding the real-time monitoring and management of power line assets.

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Current Remote Inspection Methods

Manual: Manual inspection in remote areas can pose many risks to workers. Challenging terrain and severe weather conditions are some of the factors that create a hazardous environment for workers. About 30 to 50 workers in every 100 000 killed on the job every year. ?Moreover, traversing the distribution grid on foot can be a lengthy process, especially in areas with thick vegetation, where the view of the power lines is limited from the ground.??In addition, remote areas require specialized workers who are familiar with the terrain to perform inspections. This can present as an expensive and lengthy challenge. Shallow wetlands and marshes are some examples of terrains with limited accessibility as as they can’t be traversed on-foot and oftentimes are too shallow for boats.?

Drones: Even though the use of drones eliminates some of the disadvantages of manual inspections such as limited visibility and uneven terrain, inspection of power lines and data collection by drones can also be affected by the environment. High winds, overgrown vegetation and heavy precipitation can affect drone flight. In addition, extreme temperatures such as over 40 degrees Celsius or below -20 degrees Celsius can limit and damage the battery life of drones.??The use of drones may be beneficial in areas with a lack of accessibility on foot, however, rules and regulations of drone flights must be taken into consideration. Some areas are considered no-flight zones while others require the drone to always be in the operators view. In addition, some drones require Wi-Fi to stream video and collect data. In remote areas this will pose a challenge to drone operators.

Helicopters: The use of helicopters to inspect power lines in remote areas may be another solution, however, high winds, lack of visibility and mountainous terrain make it difficult to inspect the grid thoroughly. Even though technological advances such as ultra-high-definition cameras, LiDAR and hyperspectral imagery collect valuable data about the grid, many defects are still missed. This is also a costly solution and not preferential.

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ENERZA?

Enerza presents a solution to inspecting distribution lines in remote areas. The use of on-wire robots which traverse overhead distribution lines and collect data regarding the health of the grid, the surrounding vegetation and asset inventory. The data can be accessed real-time by utility providers via a user-friendly dashboard. This allows utility operators to take proactive measures to ensure the reliability of the grid, even in remote areas. In addition, the technology is able to pinpoint defects on the grid down to the pole. This makes power line inspection and maintenance easier than ever. This solution offers a cost-effective method to inspect the entire grid, potentially saving utility managers up to 25%-50% in operating costs.

By using Enerza's technology, utility companies can prioritize maintenance by identifying critical areas that require attention, thereby reducing maintenance costs.??Enerza’s technology has an advantage to drone use because it is fully autonomous and is not affected by high winds like the drone. In addition, due to its compact size, Enerza’s technology is not affected by thick vegetation like helicopters are. Lastly, Enerza helps utility companies increase efficiency by 200% by eliminating the need for on-foot inspections and identifying defects instantaneously.??

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the challenges of inspecting distribution lines in remote areas are significant, but there are solutions available such as Enerza’s. The use of advanced technology like on-wire robots can increase the reliability and safety of the distribution grid. By identifying critical areas that require attention, utility companies can prioritize maintenance, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring that the distribution grid is properly inspected, maintained, and updated to meet the increasing demands of modern society.?By embracing these innovative solutions, we can pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.