DRONES MANNING THE GRID

Will Drones Soon Be Helping Utilities Repair The Grid?

1 March 2013 (Renew Grid)

“…[T]he Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)… has been working on developing and testing drones, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), that utilities could use to detect damage to their distribution and transmission systems. These drones are equipped with high-resolution video and digital cameras, whose images are relayed back to the operator in real time…[T]his information could prove critical to utilities after a severe weather event and allow crews to restore power faster.

“…[In] EPRI’s most recent UAS test flights, conducted last month in Alabama…the Adaptive Flight Hornet Maxi and Aeryon Scout prototypes [flying at altitudes below 100 feet] successfully conducted visual inspections of grid components…[underscoring] the practicality and potential benefits of using such devices…”

“…[EPRI said] more work needs to be done before utilities start deploying UAS to inspect power lines or other grid components. One major obstacle, for example, is finding a way to properly integrate data gathered by drones with utilities’ operations…

“For these test flights, EPRI has partnered with researchers at New Mexico State University, and the team expects to use the results to help spur more tests and develop further insights later this year.”

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