Drones Equipped with Sensors Monitoring High-Voltage Power Lines
In the heart of Germany, EVO AG is pioneering a new era in high-voltage network monitoring with the introduction of AI-controlled drones. This innovative project, aimed at creating transparency, improving efficiency, and increasing supply security in the Offenbach region, marks a significant step towards a more efficient and sustainable energy system.
The drones, equipped with independent and maintenance-free sensors, are designed to collect detailed data on infrastructure conditions autonomously. These sensors measure data such as current strength, voltage, conductor temperature, humidity, and sunlight in real-time, providing valuable insights into the load on the lines.
One of the key benefits of this technology is the reduction in the effort required for network maintenance. By using the drone, the need for manual inspections is significantly decreased, freeing up resources for other crucial tasks.
The drones are also instrumental in enhancing grid reliability. AI algorithms embedded in the drones can identify faults or wear early, optimize repair schedules, and minimize human risk in hazardous environments. This predictive maintenance approach is a key feature of smart grids, which rely on advanced sensing and automation to balance supply, demand, and system health effectively.
The project, currently in its test phase, involves installing 15 sensors on selected network sections. If the test phase is successful, the drone technology will become a permanent part of the system, providing continuous monitoring for a smart grid. The test phase is expected to last approximately a year, after which the drones will continue to collect data, helping prevent failures, reduce downtime, and increase the overall resilience and efficiency of the power transmission network.
Schröder, spokesperson for EVO AG, states that the overhead line monitoring can be an important step towards a 110-kV future network. The data collected is intended to form the basis for a smart grid that can be monitored continuously, providing real-time insights into the load on the lines.
This dynamic monitoring helps prevent failures, reduces downtime, and increases the overall resilience and efficiency of the power transmission network, enabling a smarter, more responsive electrical grid infrastructure. The use of AI-controlled drones for monitoring high-voltage networks aligns with the broader trend of AI and drone integration advancing smart grid technologies by delivering precise and timely network condition insights.
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What kind of renewable energy projects is EVO AG involved in besides high-voltage network monitoring with AI-controlled drones? Could artificial intelligence and renewable energy finance collaborate to revolutionize the industry through technological innovation? With the increase in grid reliability and the smart grid's predictive maintenance approach, could artificial intelligence and technology be leveraged to optimize renewable energy production and distribution? These are questions worth exploring as we move towards a more sustainable energy future.
