Brandon Rench, CP SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018 Utility Responsibilities - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Aerial Thermal Inspection of Powerlines with an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

Brandon Rench, CP

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Utility Responsibilities

770 miles of Transmission and Distribution Line 28,000 customers Safety to Community and Personnel Improve Reliability and Affordability

• Reduce Planned and Unplanned Outages
• Replace equipment by necessity

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

PROJECT DETAILS

Goal

• Comprehensive assessment of infrastructure

conditions for predictive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance.

Location & Quantities

• 5 miles of 3-phase Distribution Lines
• 253 Distribution Poles
• Downtown area of tourist city during

peak tourist season

• Within 5 miles of Airport

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Multi-sensor equipped

• 20 megapixel, 30x zoom Visual Camera
• High resolution Infrared Thermal Camera

Chart of corona, thermal, visual?

Recommended Approach

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Inspection Aerial Inspection

• Thermal Electrical Components
• Visual Electrical Components
• Vegetation Encroachment

Benefits to this Approach

• Perspective
• Safety
• Speed
• Cataloging for future inspections

Proactive Infrastructure Condition Awareness Perform predictive maintenance

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

FAA Regulations (Part 107)

• Under 55 lbs
• FAA Remote Pilot Airman Certificate
• Airspace Restrictions
• Line of site
• Below 400’
• No flight over moving vehicles or people

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Multi-sensor equipped

• 20 megapixel, 30x zoom visual

camera

• High resolution infrared thermal

sensor

• Dual integration
• Triple redundant RTK

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Express-News

Equipment

Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

• Stable flight
• Small footprint for takeoff and landing
• Heavier lift
• Redundant rotors for safety

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Preparation & Take-Off

• Public Notice
• Crew Safety Meetings
• Signage
• Control Center communication

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Express-News

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Anomaly Example 1

Anomaly Rating: Major Component: Capacitor Bank Delta “T”: 33.8° F Description

Thermal anomalies on capacitor bank. Two insulator bushing connector caps showing hot with a Delta “T” of 33.8° F. Max Measured Temp: 142° F Recommend address immediately. No visual detection.

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Anomaly Example 2

Anomaly Rating: Major Component: Switch Jaw Delta “T”: 77.6° F Description

Thermal anomaly on switch jaw. Switch jaw showing hot with a Delta “T” of 77.6° F. Max Measured Temp: 127° F Recommend address immediately. No visual detection.

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Anomaly Example 3

Anomaly Rating: Major Component: Bushings Delta “T”: 60.6° F Description

Infrared on Transformer Secondary

• Bushings. Delta “T” 60.6 F & 28.7 F.

Recommend record and monitor. Max Measured Temp: 202° F Recommend to address immediately. No visual detection.

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Anomaly Example 4

Anomaly Rating: Critical Component: Insulator Skirt Delta “T”: N/A Description

Center phase Top Insulator Skirt (discoloration) flash and broken tie. Recommend to address immediately. No thermal detection.

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Deliverables

Detailed Inspection Reports

• Summary
• Detailed Summary
• Detailed Report
• Oblique Photo of Structure
• Zoomed View of Anomaly/Defect
• Thermal View of Anomaly

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Anomalies & Defects

Summary Critical: 3 Major: 6 Minor: 49 Total: 58 Poles w/ anomalies: 55 out of 253

• Thermal anomalies
• Arc flash
• Broken ties
• Incorrectly installed hardware
• Wooden pole cracks, splits, and top rot
• Vegetation encroachment

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Alternative Approaches

Bucket Truck Inspection Pros

• Fixes may be performed immediately

Cons

• Slower
• Traffic impedance
• Personnel Safety

Helicopter Inspection Pros

• Fast

Cons

• Expensive
• Community Safety
• Loud & Distracting

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018

Latest Technology

One Flight – Four Datasets Inspection + GIS + NERC compliance

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018