Drones in the power industry

Drones are increasingly being used in the energy sector for a variety of tasks. Some of the most common uses of drones in the energy sector include:

- Power line inspection: drones can be used to inspect power lines and power transmission towers. Drones can fly close to power lines and take high-resolution images to identify any damage or problems on the lines.

- Wind farm inspection: Drones can be used to inspect wind turbines and wind turbine blades. This allows wind farm operators to identify any damage or problems with the turbines, which can help reduce maintenance costs and improve turbine efficiency.

- Solar panel inspection: Drones can be used to inspect solar panels and detect any problems in the solar cells. This can help improve the efficiency of solar panels and reduce maintenance costs.

- Pollution monitoring: drones can be used to monitor air and water quality near power plants and other energy facilities. This can help detect any pollution and take action to reduce environmental impacts.

- Safety: Drones can also be used to improve safety in the energy sector. For example, drones can be used to detect anyone approaching dangerous facilities, which can help prevent accidents.

In short, drones offer an effective and cost-efficient way to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability in the energy sector. As technology continues to advance, drones are expected to be used increasingly in this sector in the future.

Power line inspection is one of the most common uses of drones in the energy sector. Drones can perform power line inspections more safely, efficiently and at a lower cost than traditional methods, such as using helicopters or manual inspection.

Drones can fly close to power lines and take high-resolution images, allowing operators to identify any problems on the lines, such as breaks, wear and tear, weather damage, and more. Drone inspection also allows for a more detailed and accurate inspection of power lines and power transmission towers, which helps to reduce safety risks for workers.

In addition, drone inspection of power lines can also help reduce maintenance costs and increase the efficiency of power distribution. By detecting any problems in power lines early, preventive measures can be taken to avoid failures and decrease the risk of power outages for users.

In conclusion, drones are a valuable tool for power line inspection and can help improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the power system.

Some of these devices are adapted to be fitted with measuring or detection devices, such as corona cameras.

Corona cameras are a specialised type of camera used to inspect power lines and electrical equipment for corona discharges. Corona is a phenomenon that occurs when the electrical voltage on the power line is high enough to ionise the surrounding air, which can cause electrical discharges, noise and power loss.

Corona cameras are able to detect the ultraviolet (UV) light emissions generated by the corona discharge. These UV emissions are invisible to the human eye, but are captured by the corona camera and displayed as a visible image. By inspecting power lines with a corona camera, technicians can identify areas where corona is occurring and take measures to reduce it.

Early detection of corona discharge is important because it can be a sign of problems on the power line, such as faulty insulation, contamination on insulators, or connection problems. If left unaddressed, corona can damage electrical equipment and cause power line faults.

Corona cameras are particularly useful in inspecting power lines in low light conditions, such as at dawn or dusk, when corona is most visible. They are also useful in the inspection of power lines that are located in places that are difficult to access, such as in mountainous terrain or urban areas. In general, corona cameras are a valuable tool for ensuring the safety and reliability of power lines and associated electrical equipment.

Corona cameras can also be used in conjunction with drones for the inspection of power lines. Drones equipped with corona cameras can inspect areas that are difficult to reach from the ground, such as transmission towers and power lines in mountainous terrain or remote areas.

Drones equipped with corona cameras are able to detect corona discharges on the power line from a safe distance and generate real-time images of the problem areas. By obtaining high-resolution images of the affected areas, technicians can accurately identify areas of the power line that require maintenance and take action to fix the problem.

Using drones for power line inspection has several advantages. Firstly, it is much safer for maintenance technicians, as drones can reach hard-to-reach areas without technicians having to climb towers or walk along power lines. Secondly, drones can provide a more detailed and thorough inspection of the power line, which can detect problems that may have been missed in a traditional visual inspection.

In summary, the combination of corona cameras and drones is an invaluable tool for power line inspection and maintenance. It allows for a safer, more accurate and detailed inspection, which can ensure the safety and reliability of the power grid.