Satelline

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
UK Power Networks

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 September 2023

31 March 2024

ENA months

£413,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, UK Power Networks

Project Contact, South Eastern Power Networks plc
Project Contact, UKPN London Power Networks plc
Project Contact, Eastern Power Networks plc

"The project aims to test remote sensing via satellite technology via trial to reveal whether it has made sufficient advancement to inform network vegetation management. The trial will demonstrate the ability to identify where, how much, and when to trim vegetation at a span level, including various other use cases. Model results will be validated with recent vegetation data as well as through field observations along with the operation and vegetation teams during the trial. Outcomes from analysis will be demonstrated through an existing platform built by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the project partner. The project will also develop a business case and roadmap for scaling the solution to the whole of UK Power Networks licence areas with vegetation and overhead lines. All work packages will be led by BCG and supported by UK Power Networks. Activities performed solely by UK Power Networks are stated in brackets. Work Package 1 – Specification, Data & Imagery GatheringIdentify criteria for analysing vegetation management data (customer impact-based ""criticality score” etc.) Identify network circuits that will be tested during the trial [Gather GIS files for those circuits

Vegetation management by electricity networks is used to minimise contact between trees/other vegetation and our overhead power lines to minimise disruption to our customers and improve safety. The current solution used by many networks to scan overhead lines and nearby vegetation is remote sensing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and there are concerns that the cost of future scans could double. Networks are also seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and LiDAR scans are typically performed by aircraft that produce greenhouse gases and can cause noise pollution. Satelline aims to test satellite technology as an alternative to LiDAR and demonstrate whether the technology can accurately measure vegetation proximity to UK Power Networks overhead lines whilst exploring the costs and benefits of the technology.

01/11/23