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The application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and lida technology in the management and operation of the transmission grid has helped Power Transmission Company 3 (PTC3) make great strides. PTC3 workers use UAVs to inspect transmission grid line equipment - Photo; VGP/ Toan Thang. In an area spanning 9 provinces in the South Central and Central Highlands, PTC3 is managing and operating 6,007 km of transmission lines, 27 220 kV and 500 kV transformer stations with rugged terrain and harsh climate. With the specificity of the management area, PTC3s promotion of technology application has helped the management and operation of the national power transmission blood vessels to always be safe and stable. The effectiveness of UAV technology in the management and operation of the transmission grid According to Mr. Huynh Quang Thinh, Head of PTC3 Technical Department, the application of UAV is not only a technological solution but also a key factor in improving the efficiency of power grid operation. UAV devices are equipped with modern cameras, capable of filming, taking pictures, and checking the status of the power grid even when the system is energized.
This helps reduce the risk of occupational accidents for workers when having to check by climbing poles or cutting off power, while optimizing time and resources. In particular, UAVs also effectively support the inspection of route corridors, fire prevention and minimizing the risk of incidents due to natural disasters. In case of an incident, UAV devices can quickly reach the designated location, recording detailed images of the affected equipment. Instead of spending hours, even days, to track down the problem using traditional methods, workers can now accurately locate and quickly fix the problem, thereby reducing power outages and increasing labor productivity. However, the application of manually flown UAVs still has some limitations. Image quality depends on the operators control skills, flight time is limited, and the number of captured images can easily cause confusion during analysis. In addition, inconsistent shooting angles between inspections also make it difficult to evaluate the data. Automatic flight path images on 3D models have been built on DJI TERRA software - Photo: Icon.com.vn A breakthrough with automation and AI technology To overcome these limitations, since February 2023, PTC3 has deployed the use of Matrice 300 RTK UAVs combined with LiDAR cameras to scan the entire 220 kV and 500 kV power grids. After the flight scan, the data is processed through specialized software to create a comprehensive 3D model of the transmission grid. From these models, PTC3 has established an automatic flight path, supporting the grid inspection process to become more accurate and efficient. With the support of AI technology, the inspection and image analysis process has been optimized. AI not only helps eliminate human errors but also supports automatic identification of potential technical problems. This minimizes confusion during the inspection process, while improving accuracy and consistency in assessing the condition of equipment. RELATED NEWS Compared to manual methods, automatic UAV flight brings many outstanding benefits.
Automatic UAVs are capable of maintaining high image quality, ensuring optimal shooting angles and longer flight times. Operators do not need complex flying skills, just need to master basic operations, helping to reduce the risk of equipment damage. Data from Lidar is not only used to check the status of the power grid but also helps to accurately calculate important technical parameters such as phase-to-ground, phase-to-pole distance, pole height, wire sag, and tree spacing in the line corridor. This information supports early detection of risk factors causing incidents, ensuring stable and safe system operation. The effectiveness of UAVs and AI was confirmed at the 24th Annual Conference of the Joint Commission for Operation and Maintenance of Southeast Asian Power Systems (JMCC) held in October 2024 in Khanh Hoa. Here, PTC3 demonstrated its autonomous flight capabilities and AI application in monitoring the 500 kV Van Phong - Thuan Nam line, receiving high praise from regional power transmission organizations. Looking back at PTC3s digital transformation process, the application of UAV and AI technology not only brings operational efficiency but also plays an important role in realizing the goal of comprehensive digitalization in the 2021-2025 period of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT). These achievements have significantly contributed to ensuring the safe and stable operation of the transmission grid, serving economic and social development and ensuring national energy security.
