Technology Innovation
Transmission Line Robot
Condition-Based Asset Management
EPRI’s transmission line inspection robot,
conceived in 2009, enhances compliance with
vegetation management and grid reliability standards by collecting real-time sensing and imaging
data along right-of-way (ROW) corridors. Known
as “Ti,” this purpose-engineered vehicle travels
on conductor shield wires, using power collected
by an on-board energy harvesting system, to
inspect line segments up to 120 kilometers (80
miles) long at least twice annually. High-definition
cameras and advanced sensors measure conductor clearances, detect incipient faults, and collect
other data to support just-in-time maintenance
intervention.
In 2014, American Electric Power will host
the first demonstration of a fully functional
protototype on a robot-ready 138-kV transmission circuit incorporating EPRI-developed
diverter structures. Ti will provide real-time
condition assessment at close proximity to
overhead infrastructure, plus track changes
over time as it passes up and down the ROW.
When used alone or in conjunction with
unmanned airborne vehicles, Ti is expected to
allow health monitoring at much higher levels
of fidelity, and with significant safety and cost
benefits, relative to hovering helicopters.
120
kilometers (80 miles) of
high-fidelity inspection
coverage twice per year