Drone-deployable transmission sensor unit for widespread phasor, power quality, and environmental measurement to increase grid throughput, reliability, and efficiency

Dynamic Line Ratings (DLRs) can dramatically increase transmission line current capacity, allowing increased renewable energy penetration, decreased line congestion, and prevention of line construction. However, DLR implementation highly depends on unmeasured local line wind, solar irradiation, and line conditions. Today these conditions are only modeled or measured at isolated locations along a span. In phase I a low-cost DLR sensor package prototype was developed and inexpensive installation by drone on power lines was demonstrated. These sensors can provide real-time environmental (wind, temperature), power quality (fault, radio frequency detection of partial discharge), and line characteristics (line sag, temperature, vibration) wirelessly to a wide area management system. This data could dramatically increase average line capacity, reducing transmission congestion and minimizing or eliminating overloading. Operation at proper line temperature could increase transmission line efficiency and allow wider penetration of intermittent renewable energy resources. This phase II SBIR grant will advance the prototype sensor in phase I to a commercially deployable product that integrates the many lab capabilities developed in phase I. It will also develop a software package to better estimate power line heat transfer coefficients to improve DLR forecasts. In the project's final phase, the sensor will be installed on a transmission line with a partner utility. These tasks will allow for mass manufacturing and sales with utility clients in phase III.