From The Editor | December 5, 2024

How To Keep The Lights On With Smart Grids And Drones

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By John Oncea, Editor

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory is driving innovation to create a secure, efficient, and resilient smart grid capable of meeting future energy demands while supporting clean energy transitions.

As I write this, my hometown of Erie, PA, is being hammered by a lake-effect snowstorm. Schools are closed, a snow emergency has been declared, and snow removal equipment is being brought in from surrounding areas to try and keep up with what Mother Nature is throwing at us.

The storm began on November 28 and dumped as much as five feet of snow on us through December 5 with 18 more inches possible over the next couple of days. We are currently under a blizzard warning with wind gusts of up to 60 mph expected. Fortunately, power outages have been at a minimum during the storm but if the predicted high winds and additional snow happen things can change in a hurry.

Of course, power outages can happen anywhere at any time for any reason. Strong winds can topple utility poles, lightning can damage wires, storms can uproot trees that fall on power lines, and heavy rains and ice storms can damage electrical infrastructure.

It’s not only weather that can create power outages. People can disrupt power lines by crashing into utility poles, or by using ladders or other equipment to work on cables. Power equipment can break, wear out, or become faulty over time. This can include transformers failing, insulators corroding, and wires snapping.

Our life-sustaining supply of electricity can even be short-circuited by small animals that climb onto or inside equipment, causing it to shut down.

The electrical grid is not perfect. Solving the problem of power outages is crucial, because, according to Short Wave, one in every four households experiences a power outage annually. Short Wave adds 2-foot large drones connected to smart electrical grids could be one way to fix the problem.

What Is A Smart Electrical Grid

A smart electrical grid is an advanced energy system that integrates traditional electrical infrastructure with modern communication and information technologies. According to TEKTELIC Communications, it enables two-way communication between utilities and consumers, optimizing electricity generation, distribution, and consumption.

Smart grids incorporate features like real-time monitoring, automated controls, renewable energy integration, and self-healing capabilities to improve energy efficiency, reliability, and resilience. Key components include sensors, advanced meters, power electronics, and data analytics systems.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is at the forefront of developing technologies to modernize and enhance the electric grid through its Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center (GRID-C) and related initiatives. To accomplish this ORNL is designing high-efficiency power modules using materials like silicon carbide for faster switching and reduced power loss. These modules are critical for integrating renewable energy sources and electric vehicle infrastructure.

In addition, they are exploring battery-based storage systems (e.g., solid-state batteries) and microgrid controls to localize energy management effectively, as well as developing hardware and software solutions to protect grid assets from cyber threats, including real-time threat monitoring and defense mechanisms.

These advanced grid technologies are just one of the ways ORNL is creating a smart grid. Others include:

  • Modeling and Simulation: ORNL creates large-scale digital twin simulations of the grid using real-time data to detect anomalies and improve resilience. These tools help utilities plan for contingencies and optimize grid performance.
  • Sensors and Data Analytics: Development of low-cost, high-fidelity sensors for monitoring grid health in real time. These sensors enhance situational awareness by collecting data on grid performance and enabling predictive maintenance.
  • Consumer Integration: ORNL is working on transactive systems that allow buildings and electric vehicles to interact dynamically with the grid for stability. This includes testing energy management systems in simulated neighborhoods.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Efforts focus on integrating distributed energy resources like wind and solar into the grid while ensuring stability through advanced control systems.
  • Innovative Hardware Development: ORNL is pioneering the development of Smart Universal Power Electronics Regulators (SUPER) to modernize power management from the ground up. These regulators improve communication speed, reliability, and safety in grid operations.

As of today, smart electrical grids are still in the early stages of development, with significant progress made in deploying smart meters and other monitoring technologies. However, according to The International Energy Agency, full implementation across entire grids is still ongoing.

Many regions are actively investing in upgrading their infrastructure to incorporate smart grid capabilities including advanced sensors, data analytics, and automation features to optimize energy distribution and improve grid reliability. However, challenges like cost, regulatory frameworks, and integration of diverse technologies remain to be fully addressed.

Bring On The Drones

Drones are set to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of smart electrical grids, offering numerous benefits in terms of efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. According to ORNL, drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors, and ultraviolet cameras can inspect power lines quickly and accurately, detecting issues like corrosion, damage, or overheating.

ORNL’s Autonomous Intelligent Measurement Sensors (AIMS) use drones to automatically respond to unusual grid behavior, especially in remote areas and UAV-mounted ultraviolet cameras can identify corona discharges, which can lead to equipment degradation and radio interference.

Drones also help with data collection and analysis via real time monitoring in which they livestream inspection data to control centers, allowing for rapid decision-making and problem-solving. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, according to E.ON, helps process drone-collected data to predict faults and optimize maintenance schedules.

The use of drones in smart electrical grids doesn’t only improve data collection and decision making, it also provides cost and safety benefits. For instance, drone inspections are significantly cheaper than traditional methods using helicopters or ground crews while eliminating the need for workers to climb towers or work near high-voltage lines, drones enhance safety.

By integrating these drone technologies, smart grids are becoming more resilient, efficient, and responsive to potential issues, leading to improved power delivery and reduced outages for consumers.