IntroductionReliable energy supply is essential andenergy transmission assets are consi-dered to be critical infrastructure. Ope-rators of energy transmission lines putgreat effort into identifying potentialfaults to ensure high reliability. Theyconduct regular visual inspections ofthe overhead lines, the componentsand the power line environment.Today, overhead line inspection is ac-complished with expensive helicopterflights. Conventional visual inspectionsdeliver mostly rough and imprecise re-sults, even with HDTV and DSLR came-ras. Documentation of the lines‘ condi-tion is tedious, requires a lot of manualwork and is oftenincomplete.

FeaturesSIEAERO introduces a number of inno-vations to bring overhead line inspec-tion to the next level.

The flights are performed with high-performance long-range UAVs (Un-manned Aerial Vehicles) for beyond vi-sual line-of-sight operation with a highpay load capacity.

The UAV carries the SIEAERO high-endmulti-sensor system which was speci-fically developed to meet the complexrequirements of overhead line inspec-tions. Since all necessary sensors andcameras are combined in one multi-sensor system, all relevant inspectiondata is recorded in one go: 3D laserdata, ultra-high definition color ima-ges, infrared images and coronaimages.

The extensive amount of multi-sensordata generated during the flights ishandled by the SIEAREO smart dataanalytics software. The software wasdeveloped by Siemens and is based onartificial intelligence and deep learningfor automated detection and assess-ment of faults and issues along theoverhead lines.The documentation ofthe complete lines as well as the rele-vant findings and results can be di-rectly integrated into the customers’existing asset management systems. Itcan be used for trend monitoring andpreventive maintenance.

Until local regulations allow for beyondvisual line-of-sight flights with UAVshelicopter will be utilized.

BenefitsSIEAERO provides comprehensive ove-rhead line documentation and fault de-tection:

Fully digitalized service with fast andeasily accessible data through

interactive web interface or integrationinto customer asset management sys-tem

· High definition data and highly ac-curate 3D localization of all sensordata

· Comprehensive and precise inspec-tion results

· Comprehensive and precise docu-mentation of the complete trans-mission lines and transmission lineright-of-way

· Fast results after completion of in-spection flights

· Condition trend monitoring bycombination of data from subse-quent flight missions from previousyears

· Recommendations and informationfor preventive and predictivemaintenance

· Ability to edit and annotate find-ings and plan maintenance work

· Cost efficient overhead line inspec-tion including data storage, access,assessment, reporting and the abil-ity for any other kind of digital usefor assessment management

· Reduced EHS risks through the useof UAVs

SIEAEROOverhead Line Inspection Service

SIEAERO overhead line inspection service use cases

Scope of deliverySIEAERO is a digital service providingyou with comprehensive and easily ac-cessible data.

· DigitalizationAll generated data, data models, andreports are digitally available. They areeasy to access and easy to handle viainteractive web interface or via directdata integration. Data can be integra-ted in the asset management systemand any other customer systems. Thisallows customers to extensively usethe data for various asset managementand maintenance applications. Custo-mers receive all inspection results andflight data without having to managevarious IT or vendor interfaces. Alsodata from previous years can easily beaccessed and compared (trendmonitoring).

· Data modelsComplete and highly accurate digitalterrain model (DTM), digital surface

model (DSM), and 3D model with py-lon, conductor and vegetation. Besidesassessing the critical distance of vege-tation to the lines also a tree fall simu-lation is provided. Illegitimate con-structions along the power line areidentified. Sagging of the conductor isassessed as well.

· Inspection reportsCustomers receive a customized in-spection report with identified faultsand findings. This includes issues anddefects on the conductor, the pylonsand on various components along theoverhead line, like insulators, coronarings, spacers, clamps, spirals, vibra-tion dampers, aerial markers, bird pro-tection devices, jumper cables and ca-ble terminators.Potential issues may include damageon the components, missing or misa-ligned parts, hot spots, foreign objects,partial discharge/ corona or arcing.

Technical DetailsThe SIEAERO high-end multi-sensorsystem was specifically developed foroverhead line inspection maked use

of high definition sensors:

· Up to five 100-megapixel ultra-highdefinition color cameras

· 3D laser scanner

· Infrared sensors

· Corona sensors

During a normal inspection flight up to100 GB of data per km of overhead lineis generated (up to 160 GB per mile ofoverhead line). Highly accurate 3D lo-calization of all sensor data isensured.

Customers can select the required dataand data analysis according to theirneeds. Depending on the use cases,customers may provide specific requi-rements and thresholds for implemen-tation into the SIEAERO analytics sy-stem to modify the analysis and assess-ments.

All rights reserved. Trademarks cited in this document are the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates, or their respective owners in the scope of registra-tion. Subject to change without prior notice. The information in this document contains general descriptions of the technical options available, whichmay not apply in all cases. The required technical options should therefore be specified in the contract.

SIEAERO smart data analytics for overhead lineinspections: precise, easy and cost-efficient

Siemens AGEnergy ManagementHumboldtstr. 5990459 Nuremberg, Germany

Customer Support CenterPhone: +49 (911) 433 78 78E-Mail: support.energy@siemens.com

© Siemens AG, 08.2018, V 1.0

Main elements and benefits

of SIEAERO overhead line in-

spection service