Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
||
| Reference Number | NIA_WWU_037 | |
| Title | Feasibility study - Small Unmanned Aerial Systems | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 October 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2017 | |
| Duration | 5 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £14,593 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WWU_037 |
|
| Objectives | Assess and report on the suitability of using drone technology to undertake surveys routinely carried out by gas networks. Understanding the strengths and weakness of drone surveys against traditional techniques. Specifically looking at the captured data and process. Understand the strengths and weakness of drones to access and collect data for hard to reach areas. | |
| Abstract | Surveying methods of above ground pipelines for asset condition in the UK have remained largely unchanged. The availability and use of drone technology as a service is becoming more widespread and widely available both in the UK and internationally. Drones are used in many sectors including military, and retail for a variety of applications to replace or enhance existing techniques. They are also used to deliver previously unrecognized benefits such as 3D imagery and bird eye perspectives. As yet the utilisation of drone technology has not been widely considered within the gas industry and the technology could have the ability to offer the industry new capabilities that reduce cost and operational risk, whilst simultaneously improving efficiency. The project will focus primarily on physical trials. 2 trials will be undertaken with a drone provider. The first will be to replicate the requirements of an existing survey and then to compare the strengths and weaknesses of the collated data and process. The learning from this survey comparison will then be used to assess the strengths and weakness of undertaking other types of surveys by drone. The second trial will focus more specifically on proving the utilisation of drones to access hard to reach areas. One of the key strengths of drone technology is in the versatility to access difficult locations, which currently cost WWU considerably when traditional methods are required such as scaffolding or cherry pickers. The second trial will then look to evaluate the capability for drones to undertake surveys on these inaccessible areas.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
|
| Final Report | (none) |
|
| Added to Database | 14/08/18 | |
