– Collaboration between Red Eléctrica, Elewit, and Orbital EOS to investigate satellite imagery analysis for identifying breakdowns in high-voltage power lines
– Proposal to use SAR technology for very high-resolution satellite imagery to observe terrain surfaces in unfavourable weather conditions
– Testing carried out on the Trives-Aparecida line in Galicia to assess the precision and viability of using SAR images for detecting faults in power lines
Red Eléctrica, Elewit, and Orbital EOS are collaborating on a project to investigate using satellite imagery analysis to detect breakdowns in high-voltage power lines and reduce asset service replacement times. The project utilizes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology to capture very high-resolution images of terrain surfaces in unfavourable weather conditions, through clouds, and regardless of luminosity.
Electromagnetic pulses are sent to the earth to capture the images, which are reflected by the surface and recorded to provide detailed images of the area being observed. The Trives-Aparecida line in Galicia was used as a test subject to simulate different damages that could occur on power lines and analyze the precision of the images and the requirements for effective capture.
Results from the project have shown the technical feasibility of using SAR images to detect certain types of faults in power lines, providing a potential solution for situations where traditional inspections are hindered by adverse weather or low visibility. Red Eléctrica aims to ensure optimal operation of the grid infrastructure and is exploring innovative technologies like SAR imaging to improve efficiency and reliability in detecting and repairing power line faults. While the solution has yet to be implemented in Red Eléctrica’s operations, the TSO remains optimistic about the potential contributions of SAR images to their maintenance processes.