Our approach to AI-assisted virtual inspections is different. We have an asset centric approach to all of our solutions and build your image-based digital asset while you inspect as we know that data can support grid owners in their operations.
What is an image-based digital asset?
This is a digital representation of your physical grid linking your asset to your asset data, inspection data, images, meta data and grid topology.
Why would you need this data?
You may not have easy access to this image-based data today in your core IT systems. This data gives you another dimension of insight into your physical grid, the mechanical state of your grid through structured and tagged photos linked to inspection data, grid topology, meta data and a clear audit trail.
We hear from utilities that images taken of their grid by field crew is often not tagged, unstructured, not linked to an asset and difficult to access. If there are images, they are on a USB stick somewhere, on someone’s mobile phone or in a database that takes ages to load.
What value can an image-based digital asset give you?
From working with 50+ utilities globally we have seen our customers utilize the image-based digital asset in Grid Vision® in various ways and have summarized the top 10 common use cases below:
1. Improved capital planning
Our customers have now based their investment plans on accurate asset data and risk. Supporting them to prioritize their capital planning.
2. Decreased unplanned outage time
Utilizing Grid Vision as part of the outage management process to check the impacted assets and then plan the correct tools and expertise before going on site has seen our customers decrease CAIDI by 28% (43 mins).
3. Identifying common vulnerabilities
Our customers have saved hours from eliminating field visits by identifying assets at risk within Grid Vision at a desk within hours instead of days.
4. Supporting emergency maintenance
Providing Grid Vision to emergency response teams to check for structure types before sending out the crew to the field has saved our customers time and shortened time to restore grid faults.
5. Wildfire mitigation
Multiple customers are using Grid Vision to identify assets at risk from wildfire within hours by searching for components at risk at a desk and providing the visual data to field crews to go and fix.
6. Supporting regulatory reporting and major incidents
Our customers are using Grid Vision to confirm the state of an asset before an incident for root cause analysis and regulatory reporting.
7. Improving situational awareness and business decision
Our customers are using Grid Vision in virtual meetings with leaders to demonstrate challenges with projects.
8. Maintenance & planning
Grid Vision is used by maintenance teams to identify inventory, materials, skills, right of way before going on site.
9. Siting land rights
For new builds, our customers are checking Grid Vision to confirm any siting land rights for new projects. One of our customers identified an undocumented family cemetery on a potential new substation site.
10. Maintenance strategy
Grid Vision is used to support maintenance strategies, one of our customers identified assets failing before end of design life through Grid Vision. This insight helped them to re-prioritize their maintenance strategy to avoid unplanned asset failures.
By leveraging Grid Vision’s image-based digital asset, our customers are unlocking multiple core use cases and saving their teams time, improving safety, reducing costs across multiple departments and improving grid resiliency.
We do more than provide virtual inspections, we start with the asset itself and link the data that is needed to support your asset management processes.
Thinking of making the transition? Contact us today to start your journey.
Everyone is talking about virtual inspections, flying drones to capture grid assets and using AI to support all of this. But how do you ensure a ROI from this transition? By asking the right questions from the start.
Lets be clear not all virtual inspections are the same! We have been delivering virtual inspections assisted by AI for over 10 years and see time and time again utilities not being successful with their approach by not comparing apple to apples when comparing vendors and not asking the right questions of their teams when they want to implement these programs.
Questions you should be asking when transitioning to virtual inspections so you are successful.
- What problems are you trying to solve?
- What is your success criteria?
- What is the long-term strategy of transitioning to virtual inspections?
- Have you got the right data capture methodology?
- What data are you collecting when in the field – every asset or just assets impacted?
- Will the images you capture work for the software you are using and for the inspector?
- Have you got the right virtual inspection software?
- Have you got the right skills inhouse to make this successful?
- How is AI applied to improve the business process?
- How will you train the AI?
- How do you future proof your AI?
- How do you ensure consistency across your inspections?
- How will you process all the images you capture?
- Once have your inspection results what will you do?
- What is your strategy for the image-based data you are collecting in the field?- If you are collecting it and paying for you should use it.
- How will you future proof your investment?
If you apply virtual inspections to just replace your routine inspection cycle that is a great start and will definitely improve your safety, give you a great inspection report to go out and fix the issues. You can repeat and rinse this method over and over but it is still based on time and you would be missing out on the bigger return on investment.
If you transition to virtual inspections with your wider asset management team involved and link the program to your asset management strategy and also focus on the image-based data, that is where you see the biggest return – moving away from time-based inspections to risk of assets.
If you are investing in going out and collecting data in the field, make it count and get your return.
Contact us today to find out more.
Many workers’ roles have changed and evolved with the adaptation of emerging technologies. Inspectors, who are responsible for the conditional assessment of critical infrastructure like power grids, are no different. A virtual inspection is an inspection conducted while being physically away from the asset, meaning that virtual inspections leverage technology to fill the physical gaps. The inspector is still a human being, but safely distanced from the equipment. Let’s look at the role of the virtual inspector. We have summarized 6 main points on what differentiates the role of a virtual inspector.
1. Inspection at a desk
The role of a virtual inspector is to conduct the grid inspection at a desk using inspection software. With this type of inspection, they do not need to physically go and visit the asset. Software that has built-in inspection workflow can provide consistency and objectivity and provide the inspector with the business rules required to conduct the inspection based on the utilities standards and defect catalogue.
2. Images substituting for reality
The virtual inspector leverages visual data; images – captured out in the field for the virtual inspection. The images need to give the inspectors a full 360o view of the asset, as the visual inspection is a substitute for physically examining the assets.
If your image-capture methodology is not right you could end up giving the inspector too many images to view per asset, duplication or poor-quality images that makes it near impossible to identify defects and makes the inspection method inefficient.
3. Assistance by Artificial Intelligence
Most people have probably experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed and bored when performing a monotone task repeatedly. Imagine manually processing and linking 100 000 images to the correct asset, putting in the right coordinates and the relevant asset information. Pretty boring, right?
Artificial Intelligence can change that. An AI assistant will not get tired of doing repeatable tasks at scale, it is what it does best. By leveraging purpose-built AI software, virtual inspectors do not have to spend time on processing and linking images to assets manually, the AI will do it automatically. AI can also automate inventory and make a first pass at defect detection enabling the inspector to focus on high value tasks and save valuable time.
4. More time to conduct the inspection
With a virtual inspection the inspector can really take their time and view the asset structure from top to bottom and potentially identify more defects than when out in the field. When in the field you are going from asset to asset in different weather conditions and terrains. Here you are at the comfort of your desk and can zoom right into an asset.
5. Inspection reporting
No longer do inspectors have to manually note down defects or produce an inspection report. Inspection software can provide inspection reporting automatically and advanced software can also provide APIs into your core systems and automate your inspection results. This means that the inspector just has to focus on the task at hand: conducting the visual inspection.
Final thoughts
With skills shortage in the industry, tightening of budgets and needing to get more out of existing infrastructure, grid operators need to evaluate and adopt new strategies, technology and methodologies to their inspection programs.
Virtual inspections are an effective way to conduct routine inspections and can provide utilities with an additional tool in their inspection tool box. It also means that experienced inspectors can focus on high value tasks, where their skills and experience make a true difference.
We provide a flexible approach to virtual inspections, from working with customers to train their own inspectors to providing full end-to-end inspection services.
Thinking of making the transition? Contact us today!
Grid operators have been inspecting their critical infrastructure using proven methods for years, but with a skill shortage in the industry, tightening of budgets and need to get more out of existing infrastructure, grid operators need to evaluate and adopt new strategies, technology and methodologies.
Limitations with current grid inspection methods
Traditional grid inspection methods can demand heavy machinery and a significant workforce on foot patrol or by helicopter. These inspection methods are established and work but are time consuming, manual, labour intensive, dangerous and can be subjective.
The majority of traditional inspection methods tend to be reactive with a find-and-fix approach and most methods are lacking digital documentation and automation within the process. On top of it, these methods are often just focused on capturing data for high priority defects and are prone to human bias and subjectiveness.
How can AI-assisted virtual inspections help grid operators?
AI-assisted virtual grid inspections can support grid operators in addressing some of these challenges and if done right can be an important inspection method in their toolbox. AI-assisted virtual inspections can support grid operators to:
1. Reduce cost and improve safety with less people out in the field, walking the line, climbing structures, or flying helicopters. Virtual inspections can minimize the risk of worker accidents by keeping people out of harm’s way as the asset data can be captured in a safe manner, distanced away from the physical structure using high quality camera technology.
2. Improve consistency and objectivity of inspections with a built-in inspection workflow.
3. Optimize efficiency and productivity of staff by focusing their activities on high value work and letting the AI do the manual and repetitive tasks such as component and defect detection, automating image to asset linking and asset inventory.
4. Potentially identify more defects as the data is collected in the field but the inspection is done remotely, the inspector has more time to view the structure from different perspectives and identify defects of varying priority.
5. Reduce the number of grid incidents and potential outages with higher precision of detecting defects and the ability to identify common vulnerabilities using the image-based digital asset.
6. Improve capital planning by using accurate, objective image-based inspection data that provides insights into the mechanical health of the grid and support your teams to make decisions based on risk of asset and not based on time.
7. Support knowledge retention by digitalizing information on assets and inspection data with an audit trail within inspection software.
8. Reduce OpEx by providing the visual data from virtual inspections (if structured correctly) to wider teams, enabling them to conduct more work from the desk than going out in the field.
9. Get more out of existing infrastructure, new grid infrastructure takes 5 to 15 years to plan, permit and complete. In the meantime, operators must deploy limited OpEX in a targeted way to maintain and inspect the existing grid. Utilities can use the inspection data from virtual inspections that is now digitized and more accurate to support their spending and inspection programs based on risk.
Ready to add visual inspections to your inspection program? Contact us today to start your journey.
Why not watch our webinar on virtual T&D inspections to:
- Learn what virtual inspections are.
- Discover how they fit into utilities’ current processes and how they can be scaled.
- Uncover virtual inspection pitfalls and benefits that can be achieved.
A virtual inspection is an inspection that is carried out remotely away from the physical asset. Normally at a desk. The asset in this case is the power line, this includes the structure, components on and between the structures including the conductor cables. The virtual inspection is carried out by a subject matter expert who conducts a visual inspection of the assets. We have summarized the most common questions we get asked below.
Why would I consider changing my inspection methods?
Traditionally, grid inspections are conducted by engineers out in the field on foot, on a pair of skis, by helicopter or other means of transportation. To get close enough to be able to examine the assets, it is necessary to climb towers and get closer to critical equipment than most of us would be (and should be) comfortable with. Not only are these methods very dangerous and physically demanding for the brave individuals who work in the field, it is also time-consuming, subjective and inefficient for the grid operators.
What types of inspections can you do virtually?
A virtual inspection can be performed for routine and detailed inspections. It is a process change where you are removing the inspection from being conducted out in the field to being conducted from behind a desk.
What types of data are used in a virtual inspection?
In this type of inspection, the subject matter expert can use images from still photography but can also use video, 3D reconstructions, infrared, LIDAR and UV sensor data.
Which infrastructure can a virtual inspection be applied to?
For grid inspections a virtual inspection can be applied to High Voltage(HV), Medium Voltage(MV) and Low Voltage(LV) power lines.
How is the data captured for a virtual inspection?
There are various methods for collecting data for a virtual inspection and the technologies and methods are growing each day. Currently, image capture most typically is performed by unmanned aircraft (drones), but can also include helicopters, vehicles, and ground crew with mobile devices. The method is dependent on the utility’s strategy, budget, terrain of the grid and regulations.
How is the inspection conducted?
There are various methods that utilities globally are adopting. The method and tools you use are dependent on budget, strategy and your end goal. Below are examples of how different utilities are conducting virtual inspections:
- View the captured data on their PC, manually looking for any defects based on a defect catalogue.
- Building in-house customized solutions to support the viewing of images and identifying defects.
- Using out of the box inspection software ranging from basic platforms for viewing images to advance inspection software with built-in inspection workflow supported by AI.
Does a virtual inspection replace routine and detailed inspections?
No! A virtual inspection is another method in your inspection toolbox and does not replace all inspection methods due to various factors including:
- Perspective of the image taken may not show certain defect types on the structure.
- Certain inspections can only be done in-person, for example checking foundations of structures or checking for rot.
- Currently you cannot accurately measure from just an image. But there are new technologies being developed to enable this.
Questions you should be asking when transitioning to virtual inspections
We know how difficult it can be to know what questions to ask when speaking to a vendor or your in-house team when considering the transition to virtual inspections. So we have made a list of things that get missed:
- Have you got the right data capture methodology?
- Will the images you capture work for the software you are using and for the virtual inspector?
- Have you got the right virtual inspection software?
- How will you process all the images you capture?
- Can you utilize your inspection results beyond the inspection?
- What is your strategy for the visual data you are collecting in the field? If you are collecting and paying for it, you should be using it.
- How will you future proof your investment?
Final thoughts
If you apply a virtual inspection to just replace your routine inspection cycle that is a great start and will definitely improve your safety, and give you a great inspection report. You can repeat and rinse this method over and over but it is still based on time and you would be missing out on the bigger return on investment.
If you involve your wider asset management team from the beginning and focus on linking the program to your overall process and the flow of visual data, you will see a bigger return on the program. Doing it right can see you transition from time-based to risk-based inspections and key decision making. If you are investing in collecting data in the field, make it count and work for your business.
If you would like a discussion with our experts on AI or how it can be applied to your inspections, contact us today!
The era of collaboration rather than competition.
Historically, technology and machines, have impacted our way of life significantly ever since the first industrial revolution, when machines replaced human beings for the first time. Since then, every industrial revolution has seen significant change to the way we live, not without voices of concern, but ultimately leading to improved quality of life.
We are now part of the fifth industrial revolution, the focus until now has been on replacing human beings with technological advancements for efficiency gains. But times are changing.
The focus of the fifth industrial revolution is not replacing humans with machines, it is about maximizing the strengths of both. This is the era of synergy; human and machine in collaboration rather than competition, and a new type of teamwork has taken form.
What is Collaborative AI?
The term Collaborative AI realizes this teamwork, AI and humans work together, leveraging each parties’ strength to complete a task. We use the term Collaborative AI at eSmart Systems to describe how AI is utilized in our work flow of inspecting power lines for over 10 years, together with inspectors around the world.
Why would you use AI for grid inspections?
For inspectors, the helping hand of the AI means they can spend more time on high-value tasks that require their expertise and less time on time-consuming tasks like manual processing of thousands of images, which the AI can perform automatically and very quickly. AI also provides objectivity within inspections. The human inspector can get tired and miss things whereas the AI does not get tried.
For example, one inspector can process ~50.000 images per year. One inspection can contain as many as 100.000 images. With AI you can process a lot more images very quickly, with one of our customers for their 3-year inspection program the AI processed over 4.5 million images.
How is Collaborative AI applied to the inspection process?
In our approach the inspectors conduct the inspection of the line at a desk using Grid Vision® inspection software. The captured data is processed by AI and then an inspector is presented with defect recommendations found by the AI. The inspector validates or invalidates the AI’s suggestions to ensure accuracy and then grades the severity of the defect. Using this approach, the AI learns from the inspector’s feedback and becomes better as a function of time, while it is being trained on grid assets.
Why Collaborative AI?
Our Collaborative AI is purpose built by utility experts and trained on utility assets, creating the best starting point for electric utilities on their AI journey. When applying AI correctly to a virtual inspection program, it can increase the defect detection by 60% and shorten the inspection time by 2/3.
eSmart Systems has innovation at its core, as we strive to deliver the most value to our customers, we are continuously working to learn and improve our work. With the latest trends about Generative AI, we are currently researching the potential of incorporating this technology safely to complement ours, through partnerships with academia and Microsoft.
The role of the AI in virtual inspections is assisting the inspector with time consuming processing and defect detection, a collaboration that will bring value from day one. In line with the fifth industrial revolution, the AI is not there to replace the inspector, it is there to optimize the inspection while maximizing the value of technological advancements and human expertise, in synergy.
If you would like a discussion with our experts on AI or how it can be applied to your inspections, contact us today!
For more insights, listen to our podcast on AI misconceptions.
At eSmart Systems, AI is in our DNA. We have been working on AI for infrastructure inspections for over 10 years. Drawing from our successful experience working with 50+ utilities globally, here are 6 things you should consider before starting your AI journey for infrastructure inspections.
- AI requires validation. You cannot escape this, when dealing with critical assets. The AI suggestions must be validated and this is how the AI learns.
- Training data is crucial. You need a lot of training data for AI to work successfully. Working with a vendor who has a lot of training data will give you a better starting position on your journey.
- Use a scaled approach. Apply AI to your most commonly occurring defects first.
- Focus on business value. AI can be a powerful tool to achieve a business-driven goal. Don’t get side-tracked by AI – focus on your business goal.
- AI supports Virtual Inspections and should be incorporated into the process and should not be considered in isolation. We have seen innovation projects just focused on measuring AI performance, but this does not tell you the full picture in terms of benefits gained.
- Beware of unrealistic promises. If you are being promised full automation from day 1, alarm bells should be ringing. AI is a journey and must be trained on your infrastructure. The key is working with a provider who is a subject matter expert.
If you would like a discussion with our experts on AI or how it can be applied to your inspections, contact us today!
For more insights, listen to our podcast on AI misconceptions.
We pioneered virtual inspections of energy utility assets over 10 years ago, and in that time, we have been asked a lot of questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions that utilities seek answers to:
- We have high reliability on our grid, so why would I change my inspection method?
- We have been inspecting our assets with a proven method for a long time, why change it?
- I have heard that the AI is not ready yet, so why start implementing it now?
- Why do it now? We tried this a few years ago and it was more expensive than our traditional methods.
All valid questions, therefore we have put together ten reasons why a utility should add virtual inspections to their inspection program.
- Improve the safety of your inspections by having fewer people out in the field conducting inspections through foot patrol, climbing towers or inspecting by helicopter. Our approach is that we are hardware agnostic, so you can capture your assets out in the field via various methods and then conduct the actual inspection from your desk.
- Get a holistic and consistent view of your inspection results and remove subjectivity. One of our customers was outsourcing their asset inspections and getting inaccurate and inconsistent defect results. The customer also climbed towers that did not require climbing resulting in unnecessary costs and safety risks. With our built-in inspection workflow and multiuser experience, they now have a solution that yields results without incurring unnecessary expenses and risks.
- Identify more defects than traditional inspection methods. One of our customers identified 60% more defects with our virtual inspection program than when using foot patrols. Read our whitepaper which compares the effectiveness of foot patrols and virtual inspections here.
- Reduced inspection time. Inspecting the grid at a desk using our solution – Grid Vision®, allows the inspectors to quickly identify and confirm defect suggestions. One of our customers reduced inspection time per pole by 2/3 by deploying our virtual inspection approach and software.
- Reallocation of expensive resources. We all know that there is a skills shortage in the utility industry. With virtual inspections, you do not need to send experienced engineers into the field. You can capture the images and conduct a virtual inspection at your desk. The experienced engineer acting as a subject matter expert only needs to do the quality review using our software. This way your experienced engineers can focus on high-priority and high-value work.
- Improve your capital planning. Base your capital planning on accurate data and appropriate risk tolerances. We have supported two of our customers to move over $10 Million of inspection costs from O&M to capital by creating digital assets of their system.
- Use the data you are collecting. If you are sending out teams for inspections and collecting data let us ensure you only capture what is necessary and then maximize the usage. With over a decade of experience, we have a proven methodology for data collection to ensure that the captured data is not only suitable for a virtual inspection but for broader use beyond the inspection itself. If you are already spending your budget on collecting data then get it right the first time.
- An image tells a 1000 words. With our structured approach, we work with utility customers to collect the right number of images at the correct angle so they can be successfully utilized for a virtual inspection, as well as use cases beyond the inspection. In our approach, we link the images to the right asset, metadata, asset data, inspection data and grid topology and build your image-based digital asset that you can utilize across your organization.
- Reduce your environmental and O&M costs by conducting virtual inspections and eliminate verification visits by providing teams access to the image-based digital asset so they can conduct most of the work from their desk and only go out in the field when necessary. Working with one of our customers we estimated they could potentially save 150.000 tons of CO2 per year by adopting our approach across their grid.
- Reduce costs and drive efficiency across your organization by utilizing your image-based digital asset. Our customers are now using Grid Vision to identify common vulnerabilities, verify site access, optimize workforce management, capital planning and support regulatory reporting.
We have given 10 reasons to add virtual inspections to your asset inspection program and we have not even mentioned the value of AI.
Virtual inspections are another inspection method in your toolbox and complement your existing methods. With our approach you don’t replace your current inspection program but add virtual inspections, as certain inspections still require ground patrols like testing pole foundations and drilling for rot, etc. One of our customers has now incorporated virtual inspections as 50% of their inspection program.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today for a free workshop where we can help you see how virtual inspections can support your operations.
In hindsight of the BNEF – The New Energy Outlook: Grids report, it is apparent that large investments across the grid infrastructure are needed to continue on the net-zero trajectory. According to the report, the power grid will double in size by 2050.
We are arriving at the fifth industrial revolution (impressively, the power grid’s implementation spans back to the second!), and it is defined by data. When being described, this is the time of technological advancements, automation, increased operational efficiency and technical assistance. And it is just in time, as these are required for us to be able to build out, maintain and connect a doubled-sized power grid in less than 30 years. So even if we call it a revolution, this is a gradual change – and lets be honest, we did see it coming.
- BVLOS flying inspected over
in a single day
The new age of powerline inspections.
When working with utilities on their infrastructure inspections, we are constantly being reminded of the immense challenges that modernization, digitalization and huge expansion poses for utilities. And we are not claiming that we can solve all of these challenges on our own, but virtual inspections can support the energy transition and is aligned with the expectations of the new revolution when it is done right.
In a recent study with Xcel Energy, virtual inspections found 60% more defects than foot patrol, a staggering result that underlines the value of complementing traditional inspection methods with new technologies and methodologies. For the virtual inspection in this study, the footage was captured primarily using state-of-the-art Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) drones (some by helicopter), deployed with advanced camera technology from Phase One to provide high-resolution imagery for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted defect detection. The virtual inspection was conducted by EDM International utilizing eSmart Systems Grid Vision® solution.
Drones, or UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicle, but for ease– let’s just call them drones) are the latest addition to the air space. These smaller, unmanned air crafts carry huge potential, especially when it comes to infrastructure inspections.
- With their size, drones can easily fly closer to the assets without putting a human in harms way.
- Drones are also way more sustainable than helicopters, both in carbon footprint and cost of flying.
- The imagery captured by these types of drones are ideal to use in AI-assisted virtual inspections, as they can fly closer and capture high resolution imagery.
- The accuracy of the AI will also improve significantly when the images are of high quality, and therefore save time and money for the utility.
Today’s regulatory landscape.
Another critical difference that sets drones apart from their bigger, carbon-hungry cousins is the ability to fly beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS for short. Flying BVLOS often requires applying for a waiver from the governmental entity of aviation with clear scope and operational descriptions.
The operator must present a clear safety case on how they will deconflict with both traffic in the skies and people on the ground. These safety mitigations may include:
- limiting the operating environment,
- use of electronic surveillance equipment to monitor the airspace,
- or keeping the drone close to the infrastructure that is being inspected.
All safety mitigations are outlined in a concept of operations (ConOps) – which is provided to the aviation authority along with operations manuals and safety management systems detailing the quality of the operator.
Tying this back to the fourth industrial revolution, proponents of using drones list the increased pressure on governments to change their current approach to fit the new possibilities that technology brings. The BVLOS flying of drones to capture infrastructure data is a perfect example of a shifting paradigm.
Utilities provide the ideal proving ground for advancing BVLOS drone operations under aviation regulations. The transmission line environment is defined as
“to include use of proximity to infrastructure as a mitigation to deconflict with manned aircraft traffic”
and routine inspections fall under public interest. As drone inspections scale to larger equipment, federal regulators require the operator to convey how the specific flight operation is in the interest of the public. With the ongoing electrification, and the ever-growing need for an uninterrupted delivery of power, the interest and acceptance has increased.
Following years of lessons learned and 13,000 inspection miles later, Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) recently secured a nationwide waiver for BVLOS drone inspection flights. The transmission line inspection waiver unlocks BVLOS operations for all utilities recognized by the US Department of Energy, providing huge value to increase the cost-efficiency of infrastructure inspections.
in the cost of drone data acquisition
It all started with five miles.
In 2015, Xcel Energy sanctioned a five-mile proof of concept transmission line inspection using drones. Limited by site access, weather, and shortened flight distances, they kept the unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight, the field crew took two and a half days to inspect five miles. Traditional foot patrol methods would have completed the inspection in a single day, underlining that something needed to change to increase the efficiency.
Today, under the BVLOS inspection authorization, the same five-mile stretch piloted by Xcel Energy in 2015 can be inspected in one single flight. For PAU, the distance per flight has grown to ten miles with field crews averaging 45 miles of inspections per day. In July 2020, a flight team inspected over 120 miles in western Minnesota in a single day. The area provided ideal conditions for launch and recovery access, aircraft command and control link, and met all the criteria presented in the safety case to fly extended flight lengths.
Changing the regulatory landscape.
As BVLOS operations have scaled, the cost per mile for acquisition has plummeted. Initial authorizations from regulators required visual observers in a “daisy-chain” configuration to keep watch of the skies when the unmanned aircraft was out of view of the pilot. Additional personnel along the route of flight provided little economic value for drone inspections. Today, the PAU BVLOS waiver authorizes the use of a single “Electronic Observer” monitoring airspace for the pilot. Removal of visual observers and the extension of flight lengths by no longer accounting for visual observer viewing locations has led to a 46% reduction in the cost of drone data acquisition.
In 2016, 14 CFR Part 107 was introduced by the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial operations of unmanned aircraft. The rule limited operators to less than 55 pounds total gross weight. The future of drone inspections is pairing BVLOS inspections flights with aircraft that exceed the 55-pound weight limit. An increase in weight will mean an increase in capability to include flying farther with multiple inspection sensors, driving the efficiency and financial gains even further than before and provides utilities the ability to gather high-resolution RGB imagery as well as LiDAR and infrared at the same time.
Some companies – including PAU – are operating larger aircraft outside of the bounds of Part 107. In 2023, the SwissDrones SDO 50 was put into service for powerline inspections. The aircraft flies for two hours at a maximum takeoff weight of 192 pounds – carrying a suite of sensors such as high-resolution inspection cameras, LiDAR, and infrared and near-infrared cameras. Regulators recognize the need for larger aircraft operating in the National Airspace System and are working towards a new set of rules to accommodate these systems. While larger aircraft can be operated under exemptions today, rules are still years away from going into effect, but every journey starts with one step (or five miles of transmission line).
Scalable BVLOS powerline inspections via drone are available now. The foundation is being set by industry leaders who bring aviation experience when seeking approval from regulatory authorities. Operational history and use cases provided by the utility industry – paired with the transmission line operating environment – are under review by regulators. BVLOS rule making will eventually go into effect and the utility industry will be the first to benefit on a wide scale – long before commercial package delivery by drone is common (but we are looking forward to that too!).
Concluding thoughts.
The increased efficiency and financial gains from being able to acquire multiple data sources from one single flight provides a huge step towards grid digitalization and modernization. For virtual inspections to make the high returns that utilities are expecting, they need to consider the holistic inspection process and beyond, not all technologies and methodologies will deliver the same results. eSmart Systems understands the importance of creating great partnerships for our customers, to ensure our AI-assisted software can help utilities detect and identify the smallest defects on their assets, safely behind their desks and that the data captured can be utilized beyond the inspection. We believe in end-to-end solutions for infrastructure inspections, and we are happy to partner with Phoenix Air Unmanned to lead the way for utilities in the new era of inspections.
Contact us today and see how Grid Vision is transforming the way the world’s leading energy providers inspect and maintain critical infrastructure.
Recently, there has been an increased adoption of digital tools to carry out overhead line inspections like the use of drones and cameras to collect imagery or visual data and manually analyze them, but a more efficient and effective method of conducting those inspections is by completely digitalizing the process and using AI technology to analyze and sort out the data. Utilities are looking at software to check the health and performance of transmission and distribution assets as part of a suite of digital tools in order to create agility and safety on that side of their operations.
In an October webinar we did with Xcel Energy, Brian Long, Xcel Energy’s Project Director for Transmission Asset Management, clarified “The main reason we do this is to improve our inventory and really understand the condition of our assets.” With fast and robust data being sent to the utility through virtual inspections, utilities can have a clearer picture of the health and efficiency of their T&D network without sending work crews which saves time, gas and labor money, and reduces worker exposure to job hazards from lines and substations. AI-based inspection solutions can also find more defects than traditional methods, and can be used with modeling tools to help predict issues with assets on a timeline which can increase both efficiency and safety.
- BVLOS flying inspected over
in a single day
The new age of powerline inspections.
When working with utilities on their infrastructure inspections, we are constantly being reminded of the immense challenges that modernization, digitalization and huge expansion poses for utilities. And we are not claiming that we can solve all of these challenges on our own, but virtual inspections can support the energy transition and is aligned with the expectations of the new revolution when it is done right.
Virtual line inspections provide a wealth of data in conjunction with various sensors and other devices that can be utilized in the decision-making process for all sorts of applications beyond just asset health. The timing of investment decisions can hinge on which systems most need addressing, and having a complete picture of one’s systems through a synthesized data repository can inform and accelerate that process. More granular data can be used to target specific parts or aspects that need addressing rather than more costly replacements of an entire unit or system. Data can also be used to create efficiencies for field crews both in management’s ability to effectively allocate their efforts, and for the crews themselves if they have easy access to the data in the field. The whole of the utility apparatus can be more deft with these data and analytics tools.
The key to unlocking the business value of virtual inspections is a smart plan executed by skilled staff
On our podcast about AI misconceptions, eSmart System’s CTO Erik Asberg said:
in the cost of drone data acquisition
It all started with five miles.
In 2015, Xcel Energy sanctioned a five-mile proof of concept transmission line inspection using drones. Limited by site access, weather, and shortened flight distances, they kept the unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight, the field crew took two and a half days to inspect five miles. Traditional foot patrol methods would have completed the inspection in a single day, underlining that something needed to change to increase the efficiency.
To get the best use out of the data and the analytics, a robust plan with buy-in from the entire organization is necessary to reach the most efficient applications of the data for the highest return of investment in terms of time, money, and safety. It is also prudent to ensure that staff is properly trained to utilize these tools, or partnerships are formed with skilled professionals familiar with these processes. Collaboration and partnership in general can help fill knowledge gaps for an organization looking to onboard more advanced systems. The tools at our disposal are capable of synthesizing a lot, but they are only tools, we cannot forget the human element.
Concluding thoughts.
Throughout this year, we’ve seen many advancements in utility infrastructure and systems as they modernize for resilience and increasing customer expectations. Making the most out of data in transmission and distribution is both part of the modernization process and an accelerant of it. By creating efficiencies in this space utilities can open up resources for further investment and planning. Collecting data can allow for proactive decision-making on upgrading which makes the grid more resilient. With a clearer understanding of assets, workers can be better allocated and hazards can be identified faster. A utility with a good plan, knowledgeable partner, and trained staff that are kept up throughout the process can use virtual inspections alongside a suite of tools to improve not just their T&D, but the whole enterprise.
Contact us today and see how Grid Vision is transforming the way the world’s leading energy providers inspect and maintain critical infrastructure.