Drones to monitor WA energy network this summer

Utility company Western Power is looking to expand its use of drone technology, with its arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) set to play a critical role in monitoring network faults and maintaining reliability this summer.

Western Power’s network in WA is among the largest in Australia, with several rural distribution feeders that are more than 100 km in length and pass through areas of bushfire risk. Drone technology already plays a significant role for the network operator, with 24 UAVs used for asset inspections, patrols, powerline stringing, fault finding and reporting.

Now, through a series of new trials, Western Power is exploring whether UAVs can be used to:

• remotely apply silicone to live insulators to reduce the risk of pole top fires;
• map powerlines to accelerate decision-making; and
• install attachments to powerlines to deter wildlife and increase visibility.
   

Investigations into whether UAVs could also be used for other purposes, including to monitor site security or to install sensors that can monitor the real-time capacity of overhead power transmission lines, are also underway. UAVs will be of particular importance over the summer months, the WA Government said, as drone monitoring is quicker than vehicle or foot patrols in reducing the duration of power outages.

“Having sweltered through record-breaking heat last summer, I’m glad to see Western Power is on the front foot in investigating whether these drones could be used to reduce the risk of fires or faults and ensure power supply in our state’s south-west is as reliable as possible,” said WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby.

The drone technology complements Western Power’s annual $1 billion network investment, which covers regular insulator replacement and treatment, as well as vegetation pruning near wires.

“Our network is large and complicated, and these investments will ensure we can make it as reliable as possible,” Whitby said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Chris Bucanac