Austrian Power Grid (APG) is revolutionizing its pylon inspection process by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and drones.

APG, the country's transmission system operator, plans to use AI technology alongside drones to enhance the efficiency and safety of its inspection procedures. With approximately 12,000 power masts to monitor, APG aims to optimize inspection costs and resources.

By employing AI, APG can automate flight routes for drones based on a digital point cloud, allowing for up to 2,000 photos to be captured from various angles during a single mast inspection. This enables the AI system to conduct detailed assessments, including checking the quality of protective paint coatings. Additionally, the AI-powered inspection process facilitates the creation of 3D images that can be utilized by APG employees for further analysis and training purposes using virtual reality (VR) glasses. The project is expected to make significant progress by 2024, with the goal of standardizing the technology.

APG's innovative approach to pylon inspection has attracted interest from transmission system operators in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. As APG pioneers this AI application, other operators are keen to explore its potential benefits. This initiative is part of APG's broader investment program of €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) until 2032, which aims to modernize and expand Austria's electricity infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable and technologically advanced grid for the future.

Source: smart-energy.com