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

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

Recommended Approach Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Inspection Aerial Inspection Thermal Electrical Components • Visual Electrical Components • Vegetation Encroachment • Multi-sensor equipped 20 megapixel, 30x zoom Visual Camera • Benefits to this Approach High resolution Infrared Thermal Camera • Perspective • Safety • Speed • Cataloging for future inspections • Chart of corona, thermal, visual? 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

Equipment Multirotor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Stable flight • Small footprint for takeoff and landing • Heavier lift • Redundant rotors for safety • 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 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

SEPTEMBER 5 - 7, 2018