Tag: electric utilities

NV5 Geospatial uses remote sensing for utility distribution management

NV5 Geospatial’s distribution network data shows pole usage. (Image: Nv5 Geospatial)

Asset and vegetation management applications help utilities minimize risk and improve the reliability of electric distribution networks

Geospatial data firm NV5 Geospatial is applying remote-sensing data analysis to improve the way utilities manage their distribution networks. The company mapped more than 5.5 million miles of utility distribution networks in the United States using a combination of lidar and orthoimagery sensors on mobile and airborne platforms to acquire data for both asset and vegetation management.

Analysis of this geospatial data enables electric utilities to minimize risk and maximize reliability, while increasing efficiency.

“An aging grid, workforce shortages, increasing energy demands and an uptick in major weather events are combining to create a perfect storm that could impact reliability, customer service and safety for electric utilities across the country,” said Eric Merten, vice president, Commercial Group at NV5 Geospatial. “A boots-on-the-ground approach to management cannot keep up with demands related to aging equipment, compliance, pole loading and vegetation encroaching on infrastructure.

“NV5 Geospatial’s innovative remote-sensing applications and data analysis tools give utilities the power to proactively address problems in their distribution network before they impact operations or customers,” Merten said.

A distribution network (purple) and vegetation risks (red/yellow pins). (Image: NV5 Geospatial)

Built on the success of its remote-sensing applications for utility transmission networks, NV5 Geospatial’s distribution management solutions offer end-to-end capabilities — from acquiring accurate, high-quality geospatial data to data analysis and visualization using custom viewers and enterprise geospatial information systems (GIS) — and can be customized to meet the use cases and budgets of utility companies.

Using NV5 Geospatial’s tools, distribution network asset managers can achieve compliance with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) clearance guidelines, and get clear visibility into joint use of poles to prevent pirating.

The NV5 Geospatial remote-sensing data also can help quantify vegetation with distribution rights-of-way and determine risk based on proximity to wires and poles.

November 28, 2022
Microchip Technology offers GridTime 3000 for utilities

The GridTime 3000 GNSS time server meets rugged international environmental standards for power plants and substations

The GridTime 3000 GNSS time server. (Photo: Microchip)

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced its GridTime 3000 GNSS time server, a software-configurable solution providing power plants and substations with a new level of redundancy, security and resiliency to protect against surges, adverse weather and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Meeting the Need

Power plants and substations rely on high-speed communications networks to transmit critical data including operability metrics, network health, fault monitoring, power measurement and usage trends. To synchronize communications and ensure continuity across these networks, substations require secure, precise timing and synchronization to avoid false tripping and to provide accurate time-stamping of substation data including system faults, power-measurement data and substation status information.

The launch of the Microchip GridTime 3000 GNSS Time Server assists power-grid operators to meet these requirements.

The GridTime 3000 system generates precise time and frequency signals to synchronize analog and digital communication systems. This resilient timing platform incorporates multiple timing inputs for protection in the event of a GNSS signal disruption caused by severe weather, environmental disturbances or signal jamming or spoofing.

April 27, 2022
NV5 Geospatial offers vegetation management tools for utilities

Photo: shaunl/E+/Getty Images

NV5 Geospatial debuts predictive modeling platform to improve utilities’ vegetation management programs

NV5 Geospatial has launched Trim Optimization, a predictive modeling platform that enables electric utilities to enhance vegetation management programs with risk-based assessments.

Using information from existing lidar and historical data, utilities can leverage Trim Optimization to prioritize tree-trimming activities by taking into account the risk posed by individual trees and other operational constraints.

“Trees are to blame for a large percentage of outages, and vegetation management is the single biggest cost for electric utilities. Yet, utilities have only started to look at proactive, risk-based management programs, rather than the traditional cycle-based ones,” said Ian Berdie, vice president of innovation for NV5 Geospatial. “NV5 Geospatial’s Trim Optimization platform will help utilities improve grid reliability through better decision making, while also saving them money through greater efficiency and the ability to target areas that have the most potential for problems.”

Vegetation is one of the largest sources of outages, accounting for more than half, according to a recent survey, “Geospatial Analytics, Resilience and Extreme Weather Readiness.” The majority of respondents also noted that they use data to analyze risk, but budget constraints often prevent them from investing in the data they need.

The trim optimization platform takes a phased approach to identify relative risk to target vegetation management work where it will have the most impact. With extensive expertise, NV5 Geospatial first identifies several attributes associated with vegetation-caused outages that can be modeled from high-density lidar and provide a relative risk score.

Utility-specific data, such as historic tree failures information or other factors, can be analyzed to enhance results further.

The final risk scores will provide a quantitative assessment of combined risk, enabling utilities to develop work plans that prioritize vegetation management mitigation efforts and result in greater operational efficiency.

NV5 is holding a webinar on Trim Optimization on Aug. 25. Register here.

August 16, 2021
Terra Drone launches AI-based UAV solution for power lines

Photo: Terra Drone

Terra Drone Corporation has launched a new UAV and artificial-intelligence (AI)-based solution designed for maintenance of power transmission and distribution equipment.

The solution was developed based on market gaps identified after inspecting more than 90,000 kilometers of power lines beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) throughout the world.

Acquired data is automatically processed and analyzed by artificial intelligence algorithms trained to detect crossovers at the bottom of transmission lines, buildings and construction machinery.

The system identifies rust on bolts, loosening and missing tower parts, bird’s nests and more. It then generates a smart report highlighting areas that require action. The error (identified anomaly) detection system is accurate up to 92.5%.

The algorithm for an area is developed through a process identifying anomalies in a training data set of 1,500 images. This allows for a custom solution to be created for the end client where all pertinent anomalies are identified and reported.

The development and training of the algorithm only need to be completed once for a particular type of asset and can be implemented easily at different locations on similar assets.

With such a high-precision algorithm, the productivity of AI processing allows for fast actionable results to be provided to clientele. Clients also have the ability to identify the appropriate security protocols for data storage in either a cloud-based or on-premises storage environment. These protocols can then be implemented in a custom client-specific solution.

Loosening and missing tower parts identified by high-accuracy detection system (Photo: Terra Drone)

Power transmission and distribution companies must conduct periodic inspections of power line infrastructure to ensure reliable electric power distribution, although the conventional methods of deploying ground staff or low-flying helicopters to complete the inspections, they are typically cost-prohibitive. Conventional helicopter and boots-on-the-ground service also pose HSE concerns with low flying helicopters and people working in the field. UAV service and AI inspection can aid in minimizing HSE concerns by reducing the number of workers in the field and eliminate low level manned helicopter missions.

This solution has been built from ground up with the aim to simplify and streamline the maintenance work for transmission and distribution facilities.

October 3, 2019
Trimble announces new products at Dimensions conference
Trimble introduced several new products at its annual Trimble Dimensions user conference, taking place Nov. 5-7 in Las Vegas.

Photo: Trimble

GNSS Smart Antennas for Civil Construction. The new SPS785 GNSS smart antenna is a fully capable GNSS receiver that features high-quality GNSS accuracy at a lower price point. The SPS785 has full satellite coverage with the combination of GPS and all GNSS constellations. A seamless workflow with the Trimble Siteworks Positioning Systems means that everyone on the jobsite can use the same data and work on the same platform.

For added protection, the SPS785’s radio antenna fits inside the range pole. The lightweight and compact design enables contractors to work longer with less fatigue.

Also, a new dynamic tilt functionality was added to the Trimble SPS986 GNSS smart antenna. The SPS986 is specifically designed for rugged jobsite measurement applications, and is now available with a dynamic tilt upgrade. The dynamic tilt feature allows for faster data collection to enable construction surveyors to create larger digital terrain models faster and with improved accuracy. It is designed to capture higher accuracy measurements on steeper slopes from a moving vehicle and more accurate volume measurements to save time and money on material planning.

The dynamic tilt measurement mode also auto-measures antenna height. From inside the vehicle, contractors can set the height of the antenna and quickly interrogate surface models using the real-time 3D surface display in Trimble Siteworks field software.

The Kestrel seismogeodetic system. (Photo: Trimble)

Kestrel Seismogeodetic System. Trimble RTX technology is now delivered via satellite to the Kestrel seismogeodetic system for earthquake, volcano and infrastructure monitoring. Designed for scientists and structural engineers, Trimble’s Kestrel pairs uninterrupted, high-quality GNSS positioning corrections with seismic data — for Earthquake Early Warning (EEW), volcano and infrastructure monitoring of bridges, dams, towers and other civil structures.

In addition to internet-delivered Centerpoint RTX corrections, the Kestrel system also now supports L-band satellite delivered RTX corrections. This ensures corrections are not affected during communication delays or outages that occur during natural disasters. CenterPoint RTX enables centimeter-level absolute positioning, which is critical when analyzing and responding to the movement of a structure.

Field Staking and Design Solution for Electric Utilities. Trimble Field Designer is an innovative mobile staking and design solution that enables electric utilities to quickly design overhead and underground electric utility lines on mobile devices in the field.

Trimble Field Designer leverages mobile technology from Trimble business partner GeoSpatial Innovations, Inc. (GSI). It was developed to add new field staking and design capabilities to Trimble’s Network Information System (NIS), a network asset management solution. At the heart of Trimble NIS is a fully connected “live” network model built on a single database that provides for comprehensive documentation, topology and full life-cycle support of electric utility network assets.

Trimble Field Designer enables electric utilities to:
- Capture pole locations efficiently and accurately
- Measure distances, angles, elevations, offsets, and bisectors
- Assign construction units to locations and spans for material and labor requirements
- Capture comments and information about design
- Reduce design time
- Eliminate redundant data entry in the office.
Earthworks Grade Control Platform version 1.7. The latest version of Earthworks provides support for motor graders and automatic guidance for tiltrotator attachments. Trimble Earthworks for Motor Graders is a GNSS-based, 3D-grade control solution designed to make fine grading more accurate, faster and easier. In addition, Trimble Earthworks now gives excavator operators using tiltrotators the advantage of automatic machine control, which can result in increased productivity.
November 5, 2018