Applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Electric Utility Construction Cross Border Meeting Cartagena, Columbia March 17, 2016

Transcription

1 Applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Electric Utility Construction Cross Border Meeting Cartagena, Columbia March 17, 2016

2 UAV Benefits to the Industry Up-close inspections of energized lines Thermal imaging of electric utility equipment and alternate energy generating plants (including PVs and wind generators) General Maintenance and Operations Storm damage assessment Generating marketing materials and aerial views of installations Augmenting utility maps and records Development of an effective automated inspection system for transmission line/tower monitoring applications Increase the efficiency, reliability, safety, and security of electric power transmission All without the use of major equipment (bucket trucks, helicopters, etc.) and with no impact to the environment

3 Methodology This research will outline the basis for electrical contractors to establish a Electric Utility UAV program Conduct research on the current state of UAV capabilities Review FAA policies as to specific permitted uses, including performing elevated inspections of power lines Conduct visit(s) to an electric utility to review their use of UAVs Conduct visit(s) to electric line contractors to review their current use of manned vehicles and potential future applications of UAVs Establish the template for a contractor safety/training program, based upon FAA policies and utility/industry needs Review other current and planned uses for UAVs in power line management Determine the best management practices to incorporate UAVs into a Electric Utility program Determine minimal and optimal UAV platform capabilities, with recommendations

4 As Proposed Schedule Time Frame for Project Execution Activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep EI Council meeting Anticipated Award Research UAV capabilities Contract Finalized Task Force Formation Cross Border meeting * Review FAA policies Visit utility and line contractors Preliminary results Draft Whitepaper available for review EI Council meeting Establish template for safety/training Determine best management practices Finalize Whitepaper for review Issue Whitepaper Webinar / Online article * * Determined after ELECTRI input

5 Contract Deliverables Fully executed contract on March 1, 2016 ON SCHEDULE Deliverable 1: Research the current state of UAV capabilities Delivery Date: March 30, 2016 ON SCHEDULE Deliverable 2: Review FAA policies for permitted uses, including performing elevated inspections of power lines Delivery Date: April 30, 2016 ON SCHEDULE

6 Contract Deliverables Deliverable 3: Conduct visits to an electric utility and an electric line contractor(s) to review their current use of manned vehicles and potential future applications of UAVs Delivery Date: May 30, 2016 AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Deliverable 4: Review current and planned uses for UAVs in power line management and establish a template for a safety/training program Delivery Date: June 30, 2016 ON SCHEDULE

7 Contract Deliverables Deliverable 5: Establish minimal and optimal UAV platform capabilities and incorporate TD&S program UAV Best Management Practices into a Research Whitepaper Delivery Date: August 30, 2016 ON SCHEDULE Deliverable 6: Prepare a ½ hour webinar for NECA members and an online article suitable for posting to the ELECTRI.org and NECANET.org websites Delivery Date: September 15, 2016 ON SCHEDULE

8 Research UAV Capabilities Preliminary Investigation of UAV Platforms Market Brand Model Price Type Intended Use Propulsion Comm Protocol Video Protocol Payload Consumer 3D Robotics Solo (Enterprise Edition) $2,649 4 Rotor Electric 2.4ghz 2.4ghz Go Pro Consumer DJI Matrice 100 $3,300 + $1000 (surveillance package) 4 Rotor Electric 2.4ghz 5.8ghz FLIR/DSLR Consumer UAS Technologies Silent Falcon $ k Fixed Wing Long Range Electric 2.4ghz 2.4ghz MWIR/FLIR/DSLRMultispe ctral/imager/hyperspectra l Imager/Aeromagnetic Sensor Commercial /Industrial MarcusUAV Zephyr2 $14k+ Fixed Wing Long Range Electric 2.4ghz 5.8ghz 1.3MP Multispectral Commercial /Industrial *UAV Factory Penguin Series $16.5k+ Fixed Wing Long Range 28cc Engine 2.4ghz 5.8ghz 640X480 IR MWIR 24 FPS Commercial /Industrial *Airborne Drones Sentinel+ $35-140k 4 Rotor Electric 868mhz 2.4ghz 5khz, LIDAR, Thermal/4k dual, MP high resolution Commercial /Industrial Flyability <$ Rotor Indoor Electric 2.4ghz 5.8ghz 1080p video / 5mp stills Commercial /Industrial Aerialtronics Altura Zenith $32-42k+ 4/8 Rotor Short Range Electric 2.4ghz 5.8ghz VOC, Multispectral, 10x optical Thermal/IR/Day All in one camera Commercial /Industrial Boeing / Insitu ScanEagle $3.2 million+ Fixed Wing Long Range JP-5, JP-8, or gasoline 900mhz or 1.3ghz 2.4ghz Electro-Optical Color Camera (25x optical zoom), IR/30fps with stabilization

9 Research UAV Capabilities Preliminary Investigation of UAV Platforms (Continued) Ceiling Height (feet) Flight Time (minutes) Range (km) Software Notes General Notes Web Site Open Source US Made, Mapping Software Included Open Source Vision Processing, 360 degree obstacle avoidance, FLIR Options (640x hz output) 20, hours (up to 100) Unknown/Proprietary Nikon DSLR for imaging, Li-ion and solar power, MWIR/FLIR Options, silent at ' AGL 10, Microsoft ICE / Agrosoft Photoscan Pro 30, hours 100 Unknown/Proprietary Target Tracking, Electronic Stabilization, Moving Target Indicator, Pneumatic Launch, AES Encryption, 2000ft IR Human Detectability 15, Unknown/Proprietary 256bit AES Encryption Unknown/Proprietary Not yet released, caged for indoor protection, "Access Anywhere", lighting system and can see down to.2mm details Unknown/Proprietary Touted as "High Voltage Friendly", Dual remote operation 19, Unknown/Proprietary 20+ hours on <2 gallons of fuel, Hand-off to other control stations

10 Task Force Formed Project Kick-Off Meeting Conducted on February 17 th, prior to fully executed contract AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Task Force comprised of Utility Line Contractors, UAV Manufacturers, and other interested stakeholders

11 Review of FAA Policies Reviewing FAA Section 333 Petition Guidance & Checklist Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to determine whether an airworthiness certificate is required for a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS) Requirements for Operators Cost Paperwork required Reviewing FAA UAS Civil Certificate of Authorization (COA) Requirements What paperwork is required How a COA is different from a Section 333 petition

12 Visit Utility and Line Contractors In the past year, 4 utility companies have received FAA clearance to perform limited testing with UAVs San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) Duke Energy Southern Company of Atlanta Commonwealth Edison of Chicago

13 Proposed Visits to Utility Companies and Line Contractors Conferences calls conducted with SDG&E in 2015 and on March 8, 2016 SDG&E visit scheduled for April 8 th Conference call conducted with Duke Energy on March 14, 2016 O Connell Electric visit to Victor, NY tentatively being planned for April 15 th Potential visit to Textron (manufacturer of the Aerosonde UAS) Blackstone, VA facility is being investigated

14 Applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Electric Utility Construction THANK YOU! Questions?