A Routing Algorithm for Inspecting Grid Transmission System using Suspended Robot: Enhancing Cost-Effective and Energy Efficient Infrastructure Maintenance

Abstract

The inspection of transmission line using suspended based robots has drawn great attention from many utility companies. Such an emerging smart technology has the advantages of energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, safety, non-service interruption, and the potential of substituting for the traditional inspection method using linemen with the help of helicopter. In this paper, we propose a routing algorithm to identify locations where the ground control station needs to be deployed when using suspended robot in transmission line inspection. The motion and location between the suspended robot and the ground team are coordinated. The bidirectional data transmission between two sides can be guaranteed so that the live signal can be received and processed, robot motion can be controlled, large size obstacles can be appropriately cleared, and health condition of the transmission line can be captured. A case study based on a segment of the transmission line in the state of Missouri of the United States is implemented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed routing algorithm. Results of the case study illustrate that the performance from both economic and environmental aspects can be significantly improved compared to the traditional inspection mode employing helicopter and linemen as well as an ad-hoc routing algorithm currently used by some utility companies to guide the suspended robot in transmission line inspection. Specifically, compared to the ad-hoc routing algorithm and helicopter with photoelectric stabilized pod, the proposed algorithm can reduce the unit cost by 7.55% and 8.04%; and cut the unit emission by 21% and 98%, respectively.

Department(s)

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

Research Center/Lab(s)

Intelligent Systems Center

Comments

This work is supported by Ameren through the Project titled "A Survey of Robotics Technology Used by Utility Companies for Costs Reduction".

Keywords and Phrases

Cost effectiveness; Costs; Electric lines; Inspection; Robots; Rock mechanics; Routing algorithms; Sustainable development; A-Star algorithm; Bi-directional data transmission; Environmental aspects; Grid transmission; Ground control stations; Infrastructure maintenance; Inspection methods; Service interruption; Energy efficiency; Revised A-Star algorithm; Suspended robot; Sustainability; Transmission line inspection

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0959-6526

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2019 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2019

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