Entergy deploys drones to inspect substations
New drone technology enables remote inspections to improve efficiency, safety, and grid reliability.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Mississippi: Entergy has installed three Skydio X10 drones at substations in Central Mississippi as part of a broader effort to enhance grid reliability through advanced monitoring technologies. The drones allow remote inspection and real-time data collection, improving efficiency and reducing response times and operational costs.
With approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for beyond visual line of sight operations, Entergy’s pilots can remotely initiate flights, perform inspections, and return the drones to weatherproof docking stations for recharging. Each drone is equipped with visual and thermal cameras to detect abnormalities in equipment performance.
The company’s asset management team uses the collected data for both immediate alerts and long-term trend analysis, enabling a more targeted approach to maintenance and resource allocation.
“Our current manual inspection processes require a substantial resource commitment by our substation area crews,” said Audie Foret, manager of technology development and analytics. “By deploying the right technology partners, we can gather more data points for forecasting trends and analysis, resulting in improved reliability, operating efficiency, and customer service,” Foret concluded.
Alongside the drones, Entergy is introducing tracked robots, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, and AI-based image analysis tools to reduce equipment failures and transition from time-based to condition-based maintenance.
Clay Adams, director of power delivery asset management strategy, said early pilot programs have shown clear benefits: “Remote monitoring is transforming how we provide reliable electric service to our customers.”
Source: T&D World
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