EDP is the first company in the electricity sector certified by ANAC to monitor networks using drones
The system is capable of inspecting between 30 and 40 thousand kilometers of assets per year, and it can also be used in the Power Transmission and Generation segments and in other countries
EDP, a company that operates in all segments of the electricity sector, is the first in its field to receive certification from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC in Portuguese) to commercially operate a system for monitoring and analyzing electricity networks in Brazil using aircraft remotely piloted (ARPs), popularly known as drones. The operation consists of providing drones with innovative technology for inspection of energy assets in the Distribution, Transmission and Generation areas. Due to the certification of the aircraft, this technology can also be used in other geographies in which the company operates, such as Portugal and Spain.
The certification ceremony was held this Thursday (10), at ANAC, in São José dos Campos.
The SIAD-AERO (Portuguese for Autonomous-Cooperative System for Planning and Execution of Inspection of Energy Assets) was designed within the scope of the Research and Development Program to meet EDP's technical-operational demands to contribute to the planning and execution of inspections of assets power. To this end, the use of two sets was planned, which will initially operate in EDP's concession areas in São Paulo and Espírito Santo. Each set consists of a fixed-wing drone (ARP category III) and a rotary-wing drone, supported by a portable ground command and control station.
The use of drones will help to identify anomalies in energy assets, as well as other types of risks, such as fire or invasions of the power line lane, which poses a risk to the system and safety and, especially, to the residents of the areas where they are the company's electrical networks are installed.
Fixed wing aerial platforms (Drones EDP) have been certified by ANAC and are authorized to operate for commercial purposes in flight conditions other than the direct viewing (BVLOS). This condition allows the automatic flight of drones without the need of the pilot to see them. In one year, the company estimates to monitor 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers of networks and their respective energy assets using the SIAD-AERO system.
Therefore, the company will be able to optimize the preventive and predictive maintenance of energy equipment and assets, increasing their useful life and improving efficiency indices in energy supply, such as DEC (Equivalent Outage Duration per Consumer Unit) and FEC (Frequency Equivalent of Interruption per Consumer Unit).
“Innovation is one of the pillars we adopt to improve the quality of service to our customers and society. The pioneering spirit in the business operation of this monitoring system marks a new stage in our quest to continue improving our quality indicators and, consequently, our customers' satisfaction”, says João Brito Martins, Vice President of Distribution at EDP in Brazil.
“This approval issued by ANAC demonstrates the technology's ability to meet specific demands of society, for which the usual forms are burdensome or even difficult to scale. In addition, the fact that this development is carried out in Brazil shows a sign that the design and manufacture of drones is on the rise. The benefits for Brazilian society tend to be growing”, emphasizes Roberto Honorato, ANAC's Airworthiness Superintendent.
How it works
In order to be used, the fixed-wing aerial platforms must take off from an airstrip and be duly authorized by the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), through the authorization of a flight plan. Multirotor drones (rotating wing) can take off from any authorized area, providing greater flexibility in accessing inspections. Likewise, the two pieces of equipment can be operated automatically and cooperatively, covering large distances to carry out the monitoring of electrical networks and energy assets.
The drones are equipped with high resolution cameras, in addition to features such as infrared and ultraviolet to carry out inspections. After each flight, the videos are sent to the System, which, in turn, analyzes them using digital image processing. This processing employs artificial intelligence techniques to detect anomalies, reporting them to the analyst. Once the anomaly is validated, the system issues reports that are forwarded to the areas responsible for maintenance.
ANEEL's Technological Research and Development Program seeks to promote a culture of innovation in the Brazilian electricity sector, developing new equipment, improving service provision and reducing the country's technological dependence.