It is foreseeable that robotic machines, “mechatronics,” will be a part of a next-generation substation inspection program. These remote controlled, or autonomous, platforms can carry many useful payloads: cameras, LiDAR, EMF, and other useful. Optimally, the devices would “live” in the substation ready to go, when needed. This could support routine inspection or on-demand tasks.

EPRI has demonstrated that utilities can deploy these tools within a representative substation environment and collect data from the assets either on-demand, autonomously, and even 24/7. However, research questions still exist:

• What data can utilities collect, confidently?
• What analytical tools exist to manage and visualize the data?
• What data relationships exist between the sensor and the asset?
• How much of the data analysis can be automated?