1. CPS Energy Drone Program Zhifeng Han, Phillip Jordan Epps, Darnell Campbell, Dr. Michael Frye,   Autonomous Vehicle Systems Laboratory University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX., 78209, US
Abstract
Drone technology has increased over the past few years, lowering costs and increasing the amount of potential applications, one being power line inspection and monitoring. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Autonomous Vehicle Systems Laboratory, supervised by Dr. Michael Frye, is partnering up with San Antonio’s local energy company, CPS Energy, for this project. CPS Energy’s goal for this project is to thoroughly survey power lines for possible damage using UIW’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s). Specifically, these UAVs are called the Draganfly X4C, P, and ES platforms, are owned by the University and were purchased through a company called Draganfly. CPS Energy is one of numerous utility companies, along with Duke Energy out of North Carolina, to be approved for drone inspecting of transmission lines and other isolated energy infrastructure.
1. Introduction
The Draganfly drones can fly over difficult environments, where it’s challenging for utility workers to maneuver around, and can take and send back data and images showing the condition of power lines back to CPS Energy.
This use of the Draganfly aircraft in hard-to-reach areas could reduce costs and improve worker safety for CPS Energy, both during routine inspections and after storms and natural disasters.
By partnering with UIW, this project provides valuable experience for the students within the university’s drone program to work hand and hand with a corporation which benefits both parties.
2. Drone Platforms
Draganfly X4-C:
Draganfly X4-P:
Draganfly X4-ES
3. Future Work
Drones will have great value for utilities and other companies that must frequently survey hard-to-reach areas.
Not having to climb a pole to view the status of equipment will be a great benefit for CPS Energy using UIW’s Draganfly drones.
The project will be ongoing from semester to semester, and it will illustrate the applicability, efficiency, and economic advantages of UAV transmission line surveying and offer an answer to the tiresome method of power line monitoring that is presently climbing up a power line pole to view the electrical equipment.
4. Acknowledgements
This project was part of a collaboration between the University of the Incarnate Word AVS Lab and CPS Energy.
The Author would like to acknowledge Dr. Frye for the use of the equipment at the UIW AVS Laboratory.
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Indoor Training
Draganfly X4-ES
Training
Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin
April 4-6, 2018