Walk the line – but with 700,000 volts

Similar to how the British highway system connects towns and cities across the UK the electric transmission system is responsible for transporting high-voltage electricity from power generating facilities to areas where it is needed. These overhead power lines can carry more than 700,000 volts: yes, you indeed read correctly…more than 700 kV, impressive isn’t it?. Then an interesting yet realistic question arises: when a problem or even maintenance in such super power transmission lines occurs, who repairs them and how? An answer lies in this blog and is the LineScout unmanned robotic device designed and built at Hydro Québec´s research institute (Institut de recherche d´Hydro-Québec, IREQ) in Varennes (QC) Canada. Last week, the Consul General in Montréal – Nick Baker – and myself drove one hour to their installations. We met Dr. Serge Montambault and his team and talked about the agreement signed between Hydro-Québec and the UK National Grid for the LineScout Technology. Through a visit to his lab he explained the technology and we even had a real in situ demonstration, which you can see in a video recorded by the UK National Grid.

This joystick-controlled robot  can service the lines while they are energized; in other words, it can work while 700,000 volts flow through the line – unlike current conventional transmission line servicing. It uses leading-edge inspection equipment including several cameras to comprehensively inspect transmission line conditions and monitor abnormalities or locations in need of attention/maintenance. It reduces not only safety risks but also saves company money (taxpayer money) and downtime. A highlight of our visit was to discover how this robotic device can navigate line obstacles including aircraft warning markers (aerial marker red or white balls), spacer dampers, and insulator connections. Watch the video to learn how the LineScout is able to maneuver around such obstacles (a MUST see video! Do not miss it!).

Proud of their “mechanical toy” Serge, Nicolas and Didier informed us that the LineScout received several prestigious international awards such as in 2010 the Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute and in 2012 the Innovation Award from the Institution of Engineering and Technology in the UK.

Currently these two companies are strengthening their collaborative approach to more strategic research and development initiatives in the near future. SIN Canada look forward to contributing to and strengthening these sort of collaborations.

Next time you walk in the countryside and find yourself with one of these 700,000 volts transmission lines please remember to thank the LineScout robot for its sophisticated inspection equipment that enables line workers to safely work on the ground!