Drones

Drone usage within electric utilities provides the opportunity to enable operational efficiencies and improve safety.

Overview

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or “drones” provide a safe and unique way to inspect substations, as well as transmission and distribution lines. They offer utilities new visual inspection opportunities that were not possible before, such as visual inspection form above a substation. Using drones for inspection also helps keep inspectors safe by not exposing them to heights or high voltage inspection scenarios.

The use of drones combined with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence or infrared technology has already helped utilities take necessary action to help maintain assets.

Piloting drones requires a Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)certification from Transport Canada.

Case Studies

  • Drones allow for a different means to assess damage after extreme events from an aerial perspective. After the 2019 tornado events in Ottawa, Ontario, hydro crews used drones to assess wire damage in large tangles of trees and a destroyed substation, while keeping lineworkers safe from potential harm.
  • The Hydro-Québec Research Institute (IREQ) has developed a line inspection drone called LineDrone. The drone is used to inspect high-voltage lines and can make a semi-autonomous landing using an on-board peripheral vision device. The vision system enables the drone to detect and recognize electrical conductors. This innovation provides invaluable support to the operator to ensure a safe deployment of the drone.
  • In addition to being capable of landing on a transmission line and of rolling along it, the LineDrone can be equipped with tools and sensors to examine electrical conductors and detect corrosion.
  • This solution can significantly reduce risks to workers while eliminating GHG emissions from traditional helicopter inspections.
  • This drone technology allows utilities to safely inspect high voltage lines under a wide variety of terrain and climate conditions without compromising the continuity of electricity service.

Did You Know?

  • Drone usage in Canada must follow the Canadian Aviation Regulations set forth by Transport Canada.
  • Transport Canada plans to introduce in 2023 a third tier of certification that would allow pilots to undertake Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) flights in low-risk conditions without need for a waiver. This opens possibilities for transmission utilities with large stretches of line running through vast open areas or forest corridors.
  • Through images captured by drones, artificial intelligence can be applied to identify problem areas or damaged equipment and provide recommendations for action.
  • Transport Canada has developed a Drone Strategy to 2025 that incorporates consultation and regulations development with key industry partners including, the development of a Drone Advisory Council and evaluation of low-risk BVLOS test cases.

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