An autonomous drone-based system for inspection of electrical substations

Abstract

In the years to come, large power grid operators will operate and maintain an ever-increasing asset base. New innovative solutions are needed to increase the quality and efficiency of asset management to avoid corresponding growth in resources and cost. To this end, autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a range of possibilities. Here, we present a novel prototype solution for autonomous and remotely operated inspection missions with resident drones on electrical substations, comprising: (1) an autonomous drone with sense and avoid and robustness to harsh weather capability; (2) a drone hangar for remote operations; and (3) drone operations and data acquisition management software. Further, we discuss the possibilities and challenges that such a system offers and give an overview of requirements that are key to realizing the potential of drones for improved asset management. These requirements are based on years of operational experience with electrical substations combined with the lessons learned during the development and testing of our drone system. We also experimentally investigate safety distances between the drone and high-voltage infrastructure. We demonstrate the usefulness of our autonomous inspection solution through extensive field testing at one of Statnett’s fully operational electrical substations.

Passive IR-UWB Localization System for UAV-Based Electric Facility Inspection During GPS Outage

“…However, as shown in Fig. 1, when the UAV flies underneath or near the facilities, the GPS signal could be blocked by the complicated metal structures of the substation [6]. Moreover, an electromagnetic field formed around the high-voltage transmission lines may induce unpredictable navigation errors in the GPS [7].…”

The AGV-based substation operation status inspection and monitoring method

“…The above steps will be essential in completing the design of the mechanical structure of the AGV intelligent inspection vehicle and the selection of the driving method and providing hardware support for the subsequent inspection and monitoring of the substation operation [9].…”

Research and Application of UAV Nest Dispatching Management System of the Transmission Line

“…Aiming at the problem of intelligent inspection of water conservancy project, Zhao Xueqiang et al developed an intelligent monitoring system for automatic inspection of UAV, which improved the inspection efficiency of construction and operation supervision of water conservancy project [7]. Combined with the experience of substation operation and management, Langaker et al proposed a substation automatic patrol UAV system, which relies on the UAV with the ability to perceive and avoid obstacles, the UAV library to provide charging and the system software for remote operation data acquisition to realize the autonomous inspection of substation [8]. Although relevant scholars have analyzed and studied the application of UAV hangar inspection, most studies only focus on the application of single UAV hangar, there is still a lack of systematic analysis and research on the application of multi-type UAV hangar in transmission line inspection.…”