OUC is developing an aerial drone team that will allow the company to assess storm damage to powerlines and detect whether they are still energized, information that could then be used to help hasten repairs and power restoration.
Launched by the Emerging Technologies (ET) team, the drone program currently includes two military-grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are equipped with high-resolution cameras with zoom lens and infrared imaging capability. The Teal 2 Golden Eagle is undergoing testing at the Gardenia Innovation & Operations Center while the Vantage Drone Vesper is expected to arrive later this summer. Both models are made in the United States and are compact and lightweight. Each is capable of flying in windy conditions, while the Teal 2 is also rated for night flight and the Vesper can stay aloft in light rain.
OUC’s foray into aerial drones comes as hurricane seasons grow more intense and storms deliver unprecedented amounts of rainfall. Justin Kramer, Manager of Emerging Technologies, said the primary use of drones will be in assessing damage to powerlines in areas that are hard to reach by vehicle or on foot.
“We learned with Hurricane Ian that assessing damage is tricky when flooding is a problem,” he said.
Equipped with infrared imaging, the drones OUC procured are capable of detecting the heat signatures of power equipment, including transformers and photovoltaic solar panels. A “cold” reading would mean a transformer isn’t energized while a PV panel running hot is a sign that it’s not operating properly.
“When you’re dispatched to an outage location, you never really know how far it extends. We can’t see electricity in the lines. But with a drone we can look at a transformer and see if it’s hot or cold,” said Kramer.
He said other uses for drones could include evaluating solar panels as well as using them in lighting audits, vegetation management, facility inspections, and even detecting air- and/or water leaks.
Piloting a drone for non-recreational purposes requires a Part 107 license issued by the Federal Aviation Authority. Maguire Mulligan, Research Engineer and the first licensed UAV pilot on the ET team, is conducting the initial testing of the Teal 2 Golden Eagle at Gardenia, flying it over the floating and rooftop solar arrays on site. Kramer said future plans call for the rest of his team to obtain a Part 107 certification and train to fly the drones in accordance with all rules and regulations. ET then plans to work across the Commission to develop new use cases and help develop OUC’s adoption of drones.
