Drone technology is the first to provide transmission for Powerlink warehouse – pv Australia

June 17, 2024 David Carroll

State-owned utility Powerlink is using drones to “pull” 50 kilometers of high-voltage lines that will connect the 250 MW/2,000 MWh Kidston pumped storage project in north Queensland to the national electricity market.

Powerlink has been engaged by Genex, a renewable energy company, to provide a 275 kV electricity transmission line and two associated distribution stations to connect the pumped storage project to the grid.

The grid operator said the transmission project included the longest stretch of high-voltage power line hauled by drones in the Asia-Pacific region.

Traditionally, power line installation or repairs have been done using helicopters or ground crews, but Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser said Infravision’s power line tensioning system for drones has so far proven to be more versatile, has less impact on landowners and is safer than established methods.

“We are constantly looking for ways to work smarter and connect Queenslanders to renewable energy in a cost-effective and safe way,” he said, noting that the use of drones for line stringing had been tested on smaller projects to determine the feasibility of the technology.

“This technology has proven to be less intrusive for landowners, safer for our team, and gets the job done faster.”

Founded in 2018, Infravision has developed a hardware and software technology system for drones that can be used to install and upgrade overhead power lines.

Infravision’s core product, the TX system, which is manufactured and assembled at the company’s facility on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, combines an electric winch placed on the ground that automatically transfers a transmission line to the drone during flight, delivering full power to the helicopter. ground and air robotics system.

Infravision’s global president of aviation operations, Josh Williams, said the partnership with Powerlink sets new standards in the energy sector by delivering more efficient and sustainable transmission solutions.

“Our partnership is deeply focused on improving the safety of Queensland workers, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring work is completed on time,” he said.

“We look forward to expanding our partnership with Powerlink to deliver further innovations in gear design to ensure the safest and most cost-effective results for the benefit of Queensland power consumers.”

Infravision’s drone technology is already used by some of the world’s largest electricity utilities, including New South Wales transmission network operator Transgrid.

The company currently exports its technology to international customers in America, Canada and India, and its workforce has grown to over 70 employees in less than five years and is expected to double, with an additional 70 jobs expected to be created in the next 12 months.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has estimated that 10,000 kilometers of new transmission lines will be needed in the six jurisdictions that make up the National Energy Market to ensure the country transitions to clean energy.