UAV for power line inspection.
A revolution that makes it possible to analyse and document the condition of conductors, without service interruption or destructive testing.
Drone Volt and Hydro-Québec, the largest electricity producer in Canada and one of the largest hydroelectric producers in the world, have developed a drone system specifically for inspecting high-voltage power lines. Drone Volt offers a non-intrusive, high-precision technology for inspecting the health of power lines. Previously exclusive and experimental, this technology is now available to all power transmission network operators on a global scale.
Benefits
With its sensors developed by Hydro-Québec’s research centre, the LineDrone takes highly accurate measurements on single-conductor power lines while they are in service.
The benefits of this solution:
- The precise information obtained via LineDrone and the LineOhm sensor is an essential input to uprating the capacity of power lines, which enables utilities to safely transmit more energy through the existing assets.
- Eliminates line de-energisation and network operating constraints
- Limits human risk
- Reduces inspection and team deployment costs
- Minimises greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, eliminating a helicopter represents a reduction in greenhouse gases of one to two tonnes of CO2 per day of operation.
Features
The LineDrone is a dedicated system for inspecting high-voltage power lines, developed by Drone Volt in partnership with Hydro-Québec.
Its main features are:
- Mechanical and functional integration of precision measurement probes for non-intrusive inspection of high-voltage lines.
- Protective cage and mechanical design for contact with transmission lines from 120 to 315 kV, up to 2000 A, while ensuring the system’s immunity to the various electromagnetic disturbances generated by high-voltage lines.
- Landing on overhead conductors and moving on single-conductor lines thanks to a motorised rolling system.
- Drone with redundant 8-motor architecture, offering the capacity to safely carry measurement probes weighing up to 2kg.
- Communication system resistant to electromagnetic fields disturbed by high voltage.
- Rapid deployment capacity for optimised operational results.
Sensors
Thanks to two types of on-board sensors, developed by Nucleom and Hydro-Québec, the LineDrone can carry out a range of non-destructive inspection tasks, while documenting the results of analyses with a high degree of accuracy.
LineOhm: Hydro-Québec’s patented technology, enables the electrical resistance of compressed joint sleeves on electrical conductors to be assessed non-destructively. Inspections using LineOhm provide a quality of measurement that enables the integrity and useful life of equipment to be assessed. This is essential data, enabling programmed maintenance operations on lines to be planned as accurately as possible.
LineCore: provides a non-destructive method for under-voltage corrosion assessment and early detection of zinc layer degradation. The LineCore sensor checks and measures the thickness of the residual galvanic protection.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Flight time | 12 minutes |
| Weight with batteries | 20 kg (44.1 lbs) |
| Max Take-off weight | 22 kg (48.5 lbs) |
| Power | Batteries 44,4 V 22000 mah |
| Max payload weight | 2 kg (4.4 lbs) |
| Dimensions (Length x Width x Height) | 135 cm x 135 cm x 93 cm (103 cm with the LineOhm mounted) |
| Electromagnetic Immunity (EMC) | Immunised for lines from 120 to 315Kv . Maximum 2000 A |
| Max. roll/pitch during take-off from the line | +/- 35° |
| GNSS Positioning accuracy | +/- 4 cm |
| Weather conditions | Daytime flights in fine weather only. No precipitation or fog. |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to + 40°C (14°F to 104°F) |
| Wind resistance | 25 km/h (15,5mph) and up to 40 km/h (25mph) wind gusts. |
| RC transmission distance | 1 km (1.24 mi) |
| Wireless drone/ground IP transmission distance | 1 km (0.62 mi), encrypted, 25MBit/s. |
| On-board camera(s) | Sensor position validation camera (resolution 720p min.) |
| Flight Software(s) | LineDroneStation (Compatible with Android and Windows) |
| Travel speed on conductor | 0,6m/s (20ft/s) |
| Travelling distance on conductor | >1km |
| Data positioning accuracy | +/- 1 cm (0.4 inch) |
| Voltage resistance | Up to 315 kV |
| Electrical resistance | Up to 2000A |
| Diameter of the element on which the LineDrone rolls | 10 mm à 70 mm (0.4 inch to 2.7 inch) |
| Max. crossable sleeve diameter | 70 mm (2.7 inch) |
| Conductor tilt | 15° max. |
| Maximum drone roll after landing | +/- 5 |
| LineOhm | Manufactured by Nucleom, the LineOhm sensor enables the non-destructive evaluation of the electrical resistance of junction sleeves compressed onto electrical conductors. |
| Operating temperature | De 5°C à 30°C |
| Conductor temperature | Tested up to 100°C |
| Conductor diameter | From 15 to 45 mm |
| Sleeve diameter | From 15 to 70 mm |
| Adjustable length | From 19 to 33 cm |
| Line voltage | Up to 735 kV |
| Current | From 2.5 A to 3000 A |
| LineCore | Manufactured by Nucleom, the LineCore sensor enables, on energised or de-energised lines, the assessment of residual galvanic protection on the steel core of aluminium conductors, reinforced with steel conductor (ACSR). |
| Operating temperature | From 5°C to 30°C |
| Conductor temperature | Tested up to 100°C |
| Data acquisition speed | Up to 1,0 m/s |
| Resolution | 1pt/mm max |
| Ajdustable lenght | From 15 to 36,5 cm |
| Line voltage | Up to 735 kV |
| Current | Tested up to 500 A |
The LineDrone: an innovative technology that is transforming the inspection of electricity transmission networks, while facilitating decision-making in the planning of their maintenance.
By making it possible to inspect high-voltage overhead conductors directly without interrupting service, Drone Volt’s LineDrone represents a genuine revolution in the maintenance of electricity transmission networks. By combining the expertise of Nucleom, which manufactures sensors of unprecedented precision, with that of Drone Volt, whose devices have proven their robustness, the LineDrone is the embodiment of the vision of Hydro Québec researchers, which is now being marketed worldwide.
Using its interchangeable LineOhm and LineCore probes, the LineDrone acquires precise, geolocated data by driving directly over conductors, after landing on them. This new method makes it possible to carry out highly accurate predictive analysis of the useful life of equipment, which would otherwise be impossible using traditional non-contact inspection methods.
This makes asset management much easier: with a precise inventory, managers are better equipped to make quick, informed decisions about targeting investments, especially when it comes to ageing equipment or equipment exposed to difficult climatic conditions.
Easy to deploy even in hard-to-reach places, the LineDrone enhances worker safety, as they no longer have to climb into structures to access conductors. The LineDrone is radically transforming the way networks are inspected, as its use brings numerous benefits by reducing direct operating costs and indirect costs. The accuracy of the measurements taken means that network maintenance resources and investment can be allocated as and when required. And thanks to its immunity, which means that conductors can be left in operation during inspection, inspection-related resources and costs are drastically reduced. Finally, the use of Linedrone enables a dramatic reduction in the GHG emissions that would otherwise be associated with this activity when helicopters are involved.
The LineDrone: the economical, safe and ecological solution for analysing the maintenance of your power lines.
DRONE VOLT ACADEMY
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