One of Australia’s largest drone inspection projects for Power Assets
Project background:
United Energy supplies electricity to Melbourne’s east, and southeast suburbs, and the Mornington Peninsula, servicing homes and businesses with a complex network of high and low-voltage powerlines.
To enhance reliability and mitigate bushfire risks ahead of the warmer months, UAVISUALS partnered with United Energy to deliver one of Australia’s largest drone-based conductor inspection projects.
This groundbreaking initiative covered 915 kilometers of conductor HV spans—equivalent to the distance from Melbourne to North Sydney!
The project also required inspections of 6000 poles & cross-arms, ensuring comprehensive asset evaluation across high-risk coastal regions.
Visual Solution:
As experts in drone inspections for the electrical industry, UAVISUALS developed an innovative approach to data capture, combining drone and ground-based solutions to meet the unique challenges of this vast inspection project.
For aerial data collection, UAVISUALS deployed sub-2 kg drones equipped with high-resolution cameras capable of safely capturing detailed imagery of conductors in dense urban environments. This solution enabled our crews to gather over 2 million images, while ensuring the safety of the public and maintaining the integrity of the data
“Each team averaged 150 images per minute during a flight, delivering quality data faster than any other method available today.” – Aaron Rajamoney, Managing Director, UAVISUALS
In areas where drone flights posed risks due to proximity to people, we engineered a trolley-based system that utilised a top-mounted camera on an enterprise drone, allowing for consistent, high-quality imagery while adhering to safety protocols. Our VESI-accredited pilots operated under strict pedestrian and traffic management protocols, minimising disruptions and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
With three crews of two specialists working daily, UAVISUALS was able to efficiently inspect 305 kilometers of conductor spans, making this one of the most comprehensive drone inspection projects ever undertaken in the electrical sector.
Summary
UAVISUALS’ collaboration with United Energy represents a significant milestone in the use of drones for asset inspections in the electrical industry. By leveraging advanced drone technology and innovative ground-based methods, we were able to deliver a safe, efficient, and cost-effective solution.
With over 915 kilometers of conductors inspected and 6000 poles evaluated, UAVISUALS has once again proven to be a leading force in drone asset inspections for the electrical utilities industry.
Contact us on how our drone solutions can benefit power & energy infrastructure, don’t hesitate to get in touch: info@uavisuals.com. or 1300 711 965
