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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SHET_0023
Title	Line Inspections by Semi-Autonomous Systems (LISAS)
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research 50%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 50%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 June 2018
End Date	01 November 2020
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£230,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Scotland
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SHET_0023
Objectives	LISAS shall be a condition monitoring robot which can traverse an OHL via an attachment to the conductor. The key component of this is to ensure that the robot can work around the majority of insulators and Tower/Pole architecture without intervention by personnel on the line. Furthermore sensors onboard shall be capable of providing condition data on a variety of OHLs and will also take detailed photos of OHL fittings where possible to provide condition analysis on the ground.It is intended that these measurement devices shall be modular to allow interchange if required. Initially LISAS would need to be placed on OHL by personnel but these would then be able to work for a significant proportion of time without additional intervention until it is removed from the OHL at end of its battery life/fuel source.The capability to self-attach to the conductor shall be considered if suitable technology is presented. Small mobile base stations(generally a van or truck)would collect data form the robot then transmit to a base location for analysis and review by engineering staff. This would then be linked to CNAIM/NOMs input data where applicable The Project is proposed to operate in 4 phases: • Specification: SSEN will develop a LISAS specification which captures the SSEN performance requirements. This will involve reviews of existing robotics and present forecasts of the technologies capabilities with recognized external industry leaders. This will be supplemented with a market Request for Information to further inform the specification. • Tender of LISAS: This will see the specification developed further and used to procure a robot device. This development will include factory testing and delivery acceptance testing in the UK. • Trial of Robotic technologies:Trials shall be representative of the conditions Robotic OHL Condition Monitoring solutions may be expected to operate when in service.This will involve SSEN field trials on both Transmission and Distribution networks which will provide initial Process and Procedure documentation. • Output, Process & Procedural Review: Post trial, Process and Procedure for use of LISAS will be evaluated and recorded to enable future OHL robotics to be adopted as BAU. Additionally the output data from the OHL robotics shall be reviewed against specification to understand the accuracy of the data against a sample. A report will be delivered detailing the lessons learnt and successes of the project. The project has the following objectives: • To provide process and procedure for use of OHL Robotic Devices • To provide a clear specification for OHL Robotic Condition Monitoring • To trial a robot which is capable of traversing an OHL with minimal Personnel input. • To evaluate known sample data against recorded data from an OHL Condition Monitoring Robot
Abstract	Using robotic devices carrying onboard monitoring equipment which can travel along the OHL without requiring continual human interfacing could allow the conductor to be accurately monitored with substantially more coverage. The SSEN networks have a high proportion of tension towers which prevents a number of the monitoring devices presently in use in the UK from operating as intended. Furthermore the remote locations in which SSEN operates puts further constraints on any potential robotic technology, in that the device weight and support systems must be minimized and considered. Equipping the robotic devices with cameras would also allow further data on Lower fittings/insulators while undertaking these works. Robotics would minimize climbing risk and in theory operate on live lines thus minimizing outage costs.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/11/22