Research Status & Deliverables
Task: Inspection and Assessment Reference Guide (Yellow Book)
Task Description: This guide helps utilities initiate a new overhead transmission line inspection and assessment program or refine an existing one. It focuses on degradation of line components, and procedures and technologies for inspecting and assessing components. As inspection and assessment practices and tools evolve to meet the aging infrastructure and changing workforce, this guide is being revised to address these emerging developments. Examples include the application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and satellite imagery for inspections. In 2022, EPRI intends to enhance understanding of the material with short video clips or animations.
Update:
- Reviewing the content for out-of-date references and for areas needing an update
Task: Mobile Field Guides
Task Description: Mobile devices allow large amounts of information to be available on small, lightweight platforms. As transmission line research advances, the knowledge related to inspection and assessment of various assets is identified and developed into a mobile field guide that provides a media-rich transfer of information that includes what asset condition and what action to take. With access to several field inspection guides covering many assets on a mobile device, inspectors and field crews have a ready reference to the visual assessment of most transmission line components and the ability to accurately document their observations. In 2022, one new additional guide development is anticipated.
Update:
- Reviewing content for poor quality images
- Guides are being processed for 2023 access and check for functionality on the mobile platforms
Task: Evaluation of New and Emerging Inspection Technology
Task Description: As new technologies become available, not all utilities have the resources to learn about and evaluate them. Using EPRI’s labs, new tools can be evaluated against replicated in-service scenarios to understand how a tool functions and how it performs under various in-service like conditions. The information can help users determine if a device is suited to their inspection need and help them better understand the capabilities and limitations of the technologies. In 2022, a review of High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductor inspection techniques and technologies is planned on being undertaken.
Update:
- Preparing a test plan to evaluate an insulator testing tool
- A test plan has been developed to test an insulator testing device and feedback from a project stakeholder familiar with the tool has been received
- A design of a mechanism to move the insulator tester in an energized environment has been drafted and parts are being specified for the build out
- Acquisition of three types of insulator testers is in progress
Task: Industry Information Sharing Session
Task Description: This task sets out to facilitate a discussion among industry stakeholders on an inspection and assessment related topic
Update:
- Held a 1-hour session on the topic of online monitoring systems and their application
- Several attendees shared their experiences
- Transcripts and recordings from the session are being review and a report summarizing the conversation is being prepared
Planned Deliverable for 2023
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3002026920 | Overhead Transmission Inspection, Assessment, and Asset Management Reference Guide |
Technical Update |
| 3002026922 | Overhead Transmission Inspection, Assessment, and Asset Management Reference Guide |
eMedia - Online |
| 3002026923 | Overhead Transmission Inspection and Sensing Information Tool (OTIS) Version 2023 |
eMedia - Online |
| 3002026924 | Best Practices for Integrating Online Monitoring with Inspection and Maintenance Programs |
Technical Update |
| 3002027243 | Visual Inspection of Avian Issues on Transmission and Distribution Structures |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027244 | Visual Inspection of Transmission Line Foundations |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027247 | Visual Inspection of Steel Structures |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027250 | Visual Inspection of Wood Structures |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027252 | Compression Connectors for Overhead Transmission Lines |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027253 | Infrared Thermography for Overhead Transmission Lines, Overhead Distribution Lines, and Substations |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027254 | Inspection of Transmission Line Grounding Systems |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027256 | Transmission Line Aerial Marking & Lighting |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027259 | Corona Rings for Polymer Insulators |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027261 | Visual Inspection of Polymer Insulators |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027264 | Visual Inspection of Porcelain and Glass Disc Insulators |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027267 | Inspection of Conductors for Overhead Transmission Lines |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027269 | Daytime Discharge Inspection |
Software - Mobile |
| 3002027271 | Live Working Rope |
Software - Mobile |
2022 Deliverables
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3002024674 | Animal Deterrents Database |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024659 | Compression Connectors for Overhead Transmission Lines |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024666 | Corona Rings for Polymer Insulators |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024925 | Daytime Discharge Inspection |
Technical Update |
| 3002024282 | Evaluation of New and Emerging Inspection Technology |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024660 | Infrared Thermography for Overhead Transmission Lines, Overhead Distribution Lines, and Substations |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024669 | Inspection of Conductors for Overhead Transmission Lines |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024661 | Inspection of Transmission Line Grounding Systems |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024926 | Live Working Rope |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024927 | Overhead Transmission Inspection and Sensing Information Tool (OTIS) Version 2022 |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024281 | Overhead Transmission Inspection, Assessment, and Asset Management Reference Guide (Yellow Book) |
eMedia - Online |
| 3002024280 | Overhead Transmission Inspection, Assessment, and Asset Management Reference Guide (Yellow Book) |
Technical Update |
| 3002024663 | Transmission Line Aerial Marking & Lighting |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024655 | Visual Inspection of Avian Issues on Transmission and Distribution Structures |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024667 | Visual Inspection of Polymer Insulators |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024668 | Visual Inspection of Porcelain and Glass Disc Insulators |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024657 | Visual Inspection of Steel Structures |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024656 | Visual Inspection of Transmission Line Foundations |
Software - eMedia |
| 3002024658 | Visual Inspection of Wood Structures |
Software - eMedia |
Key Deliverables
| Product ID | Name |
Type |
|---|---|---|
| 3002024282 | Evaluation of New and Emerging Inspection Technology |
Technical Update |
| 3002021459 | State of the Art of Processing Inspection Imagery |
Technical Update |
| 3002018880 | Evaluation of new and emerging technology: State of the Art of Satellite Inspection Technology for Transmission Lines |
Technical Update |
| 3002015561 | Overhead Transmission Line Inspection, Assessment and Asset Management Reference Guide (Yellow Book) |
Technical Update |
| 3002012611 | OTLOT |
Software - eMedia |