SA Power Networks using drones for remote line inspections

SA Power Networks is working with local drone manufacturer Carbonix to automate the inspection of remote electricity distribution assets, while saving on the 20 million kilometres the network’s crews ordinarily drive.

The drones recently completed a mission to inspect 150km of remote power lines, following Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval for beyond visual line of Sight (BVLoS) operations.

SA Power Network’s distribution network spans more than 180,000 square kilometres, requiring inspections from helicopters and light plans, or by ground crews.

Using drones for inspections would save 80 percent in operating costs and 98 percent in CO2 emissions, Carbonix said in a statement.

Since drones are easier to deploy than conventional aircraft, their adoption would also improve response times in outages and fault-finding, as well as helping in bushfire preparedness, maintenance work, and planning and documentation of line re-stringing, the company said.

The 18-month project has used Carbonix’s Volanti, a fixed wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone to carry out a fully automated BVLoS flight gathering inspection data.

SA Power Networks head of corporate affairs Paul Roberts said the business wants to improve network management while driving efficiency benefits.

“We rely on aerial inspections to be able to meet inspection cycles,” he said.

"Being able to deploy over the horizon drone patrols will drive greater efficiency in our asset management program and provide genuine safety benefits for our people and community.”