DroneData

Measures and work packages

The background of the project

The background of the project involves the critical role of electricity distribution in recovering from various climate-related natural phenomena and managing associated risks. The project aims to enhance energy companies’ ability to respond to different disruptions in power grids and proactively prepare for risks related to natural events through improved maintenance practices.

Measures and work packages

The key measure is to use digital imaging performed by unmanned aerial vehicles, especially drones, and related data analytics. In the project, different types of drone, image and data analytics solutions and their applicability in fault management and maintenance of power grids in an appropriate situation. New methods, solutions and processes are developed and implemented for these themes, based on all processes and identified needs of energy companies.

Background and needs survey

Background survey

• The various available drone and other types of drones (including fixed-wing drones) and their suitability as platforms for various sensors are mapped.
• Collecting experiences from the application of technologies related to fault location and management of electrical networks.

Needs survey

• The needs of the participating electricity network companies for the use of drone-based methods in fault management and maintenance, as well as the possibilities of applying drone solutions as part of their operations, will be clarified.
• The companies’ current processes and systems in use for fault management of electricity networks will be investigated.

Drone experiments

Planning

• The drone experiments implemented in the project are being planned.

Drone experiments

• Drone flights are carried out in a variety of ways in different electrical network environments and conditions, experimenting with different technologies and methods of implementation.
• Investigating the suitability of various drone platforms for fault location and inspections.
• Evaluating the success of drone experiments using different implementation methods.

Automation of drone flights

• Making the necessary mappings for the automation of drone flights and draw up a plan for the most cost-effective mobile demo and testing equipment.
• Within the available resources and funding, a demo and testing system for automatic drone flights will be implemented.

Data analytics

Planning and existing solutions

• The methods and tools to be tested in data analytics are planned based on background mapping and experiences gained from different imaging methods.
• Tools and sufficient knowledge for data analytics in the application area of ​​the project will be acquired.
• If necessary, planning the development of our own data analytics methods from the starting points of the various data collected.
• Planning a solution for data management using cloud services.

Data quality

• Methods for studying the quality and usability of data collected from drones with the help of sensors are developed and implemented.
• The quality of data collected by different sensors in different conditions and at different times of the year is studied.

Implementation and methods of data analytics

• The goal is to find methods that work in automatic fault location in Finnish conditions.
• Various existing methods and software are widely tested.
• Developing methods for analyzing the data produced by different sensors from the point of view of fault location and risk management of the electrical network.

Results

As a result of the project, the aim is to be prepared for fast and better drone-based fault location and repair, suitable for recovering from natural phenomena with lower carbon dioxide emissions than before, as the use of vehicles and helicopters decreases. The project produces, with the help of which one learns to better understand various distractions and – situation and information as well as information and methods suitable for situations and circumstances. As a result of the project, maintenance and risk management skills related to electricity networks will also be strengthened.

Public relations and networks

Public relations and publication activities

Information will be given about the project and its results, as well as the possibilities of drone technology in the province. The results of the project are published nationally and also internationally.

Networking

• The cooperation between the project implementer and the participating companies will be intensified and a theme network of operators will be formed around the project’s subject area.
• Networking with other regional operators.
• The results of the project will be transferred to the teaching of the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences as applicable.
• The materials are used in the training of drone pilots of the electricity network.

Promoting business opportunities

• Opportunities to integrate the results into part of the business of the participating energy companies are identified.
• The opportunities for commercialization of the achieved results are scanned.