DTEK Dnipro Grids will be inspecting their power transmission lines using modern aerial platforms

Thermal power generation19 June 2018

DTEK Dnipro Grids will be the first in Ukraine who will be inspecting their power transmission lines using modern aerial platforms (helicopters). They will help energy specialists to identify in advance and remove potentially faulty sections. The ultimate goal is to reduce a grid failure rate and to raise the quality of power supply for customers. The pilot project will be launched in Dnipropetrovsk Region as early as in June-July of 2018. Based on the results, the company will make a decision on the possibility of expanding this technology of using aerial platforms, including drones, over all areas of licensed DTEK Grids activity — Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk Region and Donetsk Region.

DTEK Dnipro Grids will be inspecting their power transmission lines using modern aerial platforms

Photogrammetric technology is utilized in inspecting the power transmission lines using aerial platforms. A helicopter carrying infrared cameras, thermal imaging devices and scanners performs a full-scale inspection of 200 km of 150 kV overhead power lines daily, flying over Kamenskoye, as well as towns of Tsarichanka and Pavlohrad districts of Dnipropetrovsk Region. After processing the obtained data, the energy company will get a reliable assessment of the power lines’ status, precise tower coordinates, information on vegetation, protected areas, as well as photographs of every defect, which is not always evident when viewed from ground.

Moreover, when compared to conventional power line inspection technology utilizing repair teams, the photogrammetric survey can increase the accuracy of data and its speed of delivery, does not require disconnecting the electrical service and does not introduce any inconvenience to consumers. The subcontractor for this project is the Polish company “Vimap”.

“In Europe, notably in Poland and Sweden, the technology of inspecting power transmission lines using aerial platforms has been utilized for more than 5 years. This is the first time such technology will be implemented in Ukraine, and the Dnipropetrovsk Region project will be the pilot project for DTEK Grids. The company intends to continue introducing digital technologies and modern solutions for grid maintenance in order to increase grid reliability and the quality of consumer power supply services” − said Ivan Gelyukh, DTEK Grids CEO.

Complementary to obtaining the reliable data regarding the technical condition of high-voltage OHL, the technology allows creating a spatial 3D model of the electric grid with all equipment elements identified and codified, their dimensions measured and their geographical coordinates determined. The company intends to study these opportunities for possible use in the geoinformation system (GIS), which is currently being developed by specialists of DTEK Dnipro Grids as part of the initiative to streamline the grid engineering and grid connection procedures.

DTEK Grids continues the system-wide transformation of their business as part of the energy reform currently being implemented in Ukraine, aiming for the transition to the European model of the energy market. The company intends to upgrade the electric grid equipment, increase the quality of services and simplify the grid connection procedure. Moreover, all enterprises controlled by the company (DTEK Kyiv Grids, DTEK Dnipro Grids and DTEK Donetsk Grids) begin to implement new services and digital technologies in order to provide the consumers with the most modern and convenient solutions.

As a reminder, the new Law on the Electricity Market stipulates that by the end of 2018 all Ukrainian regional energy distribution companies must unbundle their electricity generation and supply functions, and retain only the electricity distribution function. This is being done according to the world’s best practices and to meet the requirement of EU’s Third Energy Package, which is meant to ensure a competitive environment for the market.