The Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics, Faculty of Energy, Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI), has developed an effective method for diagnosing overhead power lines that are not under voltage. Monitoring is carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with technical vision.
According to Vladimir Kachesov, Professor of the Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics at NSTU-NETI, Doctor of Technical Sciences, regular diagnostics of extended energy facilities, including power lines, is important for prevention purposes. The method of controlling the drone using the electric and magnetic fields of power lines allows for operational monitoring. But there are sections of the line that are not energized, which means that electric field control is impossible. Even when disconnected, the lines may be susceptible to mechanical damage, insulation defects, or the influence of external factors (for example, the supports were damaged due to a hurricane), so they must be regularly inspected and, if necessary, the degree of damage assessed to understand the scope of repair work.
For fast and high-quality diagnostics of non-energized power lines, it was proposed to control the drone using technical vision. Special diagnostic equipment is installed on the UAV, monitoring is carried out through thermal imaging and ultraviolet monitoring, as well as photo and video recording.
"If a line is straight and has the same illumination, it easily stands out from other objects, such as a forest or a road. The drone recognizes this line and flies along it. We don't need an electric field to control it, we can measure altitude using a barometer. The flight zone is determined by a video camera, and the altitude is determined by atmospheric pressure," said Vladimir Kachesov.
With the help of automatic overflight of overhead power lines, it is possible to diagnose defects in linear insulation, partial wire breaks, etc.
The scientist added that the condition of the clearing can also be assessed using photos and videos. Tall trees pose a threat to power lines, as there is a possibility of damage, wire breakage, and electrical breakdown. Monitoring will determine the need for cutting/pruning trees to prevent emergencies and ensure safety.
The prospects of applying the method developed by NSTU-NETI scientists are not limited to the energy sector and include, for example, the oil and gas industry, where power transmission lines of the same class (110, 220 kV) are used.
Engineers at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) have also developed a program for classifying power transmission poles into groups based on the degree of wear. The development allows you to automatically rank structures into categories for more efficient cost planning for maintenance and repair.