At the Tuolan 110kV transmission line project in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is pioneering safety and efficiency for power grid operations.

Operated by State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply, the Navigator UAV is conducting monitoring of high-altitude tasks, such as iron tower erection and conductor stringing. Its debut has already led to eight real-time safety reminders, ensuring compliance with operational standards.

The Navigator UAV is State Grid’s first UAV designed specifically for safety control during the construction of substations and transmission lines. Equipped with power-specific airborne chips and customised algorithms, the UAV can autonomously track and identify non-compliant operations.

Its features include:

• Intelligent violation detection: Automatic identification, analysis and resolution of safety breaches.
• Task automation: Integrated with an intelligent flight operation system for automated task planning and inspections.
• High-tech monitoring: High-definition cameras and loudhailers enable clear violation capture and instant corrective actions.

This UAV is for safety management at construction sites, reinforcing the company’s commitment to digital transformation in the energy sector.

Since venturing into UAV development in 2019, State Grid has tackled challenges such as limited expertise, technical barriers and funding constraints. It launched the first-generation Navigator power inspection UAV in 2019.

From initial concept to the fifth-generation model, the UAV has undergone continuous improvement, supported by collaborations with experts and extensive field testing. The result is a robust suite of intelligent UAVs, complemented by an industrial chain encompassing research, manufacturing, sales and after-sales service.

With a team of more than 30 UAV inspection specialists, State Grid (www.sgcc.com.cn) has used the UAVs to inspect more than 40,000 transmission line towers and over 10,000km of distribution network lines. These efforts are setting benchmarks for operational excellence and safety in the power grid sector.

• State Grid Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture Electric Power Supply has completed the installation and commissioning of the first UHF online monitoring system in Kezhou at the 220kV Wucha substation.

UHF online monitoring technology can accurately monitor the operation status of equipment in substations in real time, and timely discover potential fault hazards such as partial discharge. This should improve the ability to monitor the status of equipment and ensure the safety and stability of power grid operation.

To ensure the smooth progress of the installation and commissioning work, State Grid organised a team of technical experts to provide on-site guidance, solve the technical problems encountered in the work in a timely manner, and ensure the quality and progress of the installation and commissioning work.