Drone Tech
Drones drastically reduce the time and cost associated with conducting inspections while improving the quality of data collected. Traditionally, the two main ways organisations inspected power lines were via ground teams or helicopters. But it is these two factors that made inspections extremely tedious and expensive.
Drones significantly improve this process; drones can safely inspect towers from multiple angles providing you with increased visibility and safety. Drones can produce high-resolution data that is incredibly accurate; the images or videos taken are geo-referenced, allowing you to pinpoint the exact location and position of each feature.
Merely obtaining raw data will not suffice; this data must be made into intelligent or actionable data to unlock its true value. But, the high volume of data collected could overwhelm human inspectors; this is where we incorporate the next stage of DT3, Data tech.
If you’d like to learn more about the operational benefits of using drones and how we increased Saudi Electricity Company’s inspection efficiency by 80% you can read our case study on it here.
Data Tech
The objective is to obtain insight from data; a critical step in that process is turning data into information first. Data captured by drones are better in quality but also greater in quantity, to process this data efficiently, we employ AI. Neural networks are trained to sift through large amounts of data and flag any instances of deterioration along with the severity of degradation.
Looking at our client’s numbers, we see a 24% increase in inspection quality and around 8 hours per week saved on report making.
An Electrical Engineer or Inspections Professional will also check each report for any errors to ensure maximum accuracy; by employing both human and machine, we reduce both human and mechanical errors. The overarching goal is to limit or eliminate human input, making the report generation process accurate and time-efficient.
AI streamlines the process of analysis, enabling us to process thousands of images in a very short time. The generated reports are ready for submission. The next step is turning information into insight using an intelligent Data Management software.
Digital Transformation
Conveying information to the respective parties in an efficient and effective method is imperative to the process. A manual ink to paper; physical data management system is highly inefficient and causes delays. A centralized cloud-based solution like Aerodyne’s VertikalitiGRID can give real-time access to insightful and actionable information.
Good Data Management software like VertikalitiGRID transforms how you interpret information by providing data flexibly and transparently- enabling you to have an overview of your entire grid infrastructure and also detailed asset views and reports. The detailed information on every tower and power line’s health status is highly valuable in organising and implementing an effective maintenance operation, enabling organisations to make quick and informed decisions.
VertikalitiGRID hosts your data in the cloud, giving you the ability to access it from anywhere, any time. An additional and equally important advantage is seamless collaboration; organisations can share pertinent information with relevant parties in real time- no more time lost between inspecting, analysing and reporting. Real-time data driving effective action is vital.
DT3 Impact
The DT3 approach leads to an end-to-end system that incorporates AI, Drones and Data Management to deliver a full-cycle solution. The final solution ensures that actionable data is available in real time. Making the entire inspection process more efficient and effective reduces the risk of blackouts, makes a lengthy reporting process instantaneous, and makes collaboration seamless.
Looking at our client’s numbers, we see a 24% increase in inspection quality and around 8 hours per week saved on report making. Report generation and travelling take up most of the inspector’s daily schedule, by using the DT3 approach this time-wastage is eliminated; freeing up this time enables more productive use of time.
With a well-integrated solution, the journey from data to action is made easy, giving you insight into your grid and its exact health status. If you’d like a cost-free demo of how you could benefit from an end-to-end solution for your power lines inspection, please feel free to get in touch with us.
