Power line Survey

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology can be deployed for conducting aerial surveys to optimise route corridors for transmission lines and determine the position of towers. It uses laser distance measuring to conduct topographic mapping with the help of aircraft. A key advantage of a LiDAR survey over conventional surveys is the speed of data capture. In addition, the data processed through a LiDAR survey can be directly linked to PLS-CADD. Using this data, models can be created in PLS-CADD to assess the various criteria in relation to the location of transmission lines and towers. Such models can provide the best options for alignments, tower designs and tower positions to develop a least-cost solution. They can also compute and balance the cost against the reliability and performance of transmission infrastructure. Private transmission major Sterlite Grid deployed LiDAR technology for the first time in India for the construction of the Bhopal Dhule transmission project, executed by its subsidiary Bhopal Dhule Transmission Company Limited to conduct topographic mapping. According to the company, LiDAR beams transmitted from aircrafts helped Sterlite function in overcast and cloudy conditions providing high accuracy at a high speed. The risk of project execution came down significantly with the use of these technologies.

The growing focus on the timely delivery of transmission projects pushes developers to deploy aerial technologies such as drones. Drones help increase the uptime of the grid, reduce transmission tariffs, avoid grid blackouts and protect the environment by reducing deforestation along transmission line corridors. Drone-acquired information is highly beneficial for assessing potential site locations, designing site layouts, generating 3D visualizations and making right-of-way estimations. While drone surveys are quite cost-effective, they are difficult to implement because of the need for statutory approvals. Power transmission major, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, has been deploying drones for the purpose of monitoring faults in transmission lines over various regions. Recently, state utility Kerala State Electricity Board also announced plans to deploy drones fitted with LiDAR for monitoring its high voltage transmission lines.