Mahatransco using drones to inspect, maintain power transmission lines
19 Jul 2020 01:12:15
Staff Reporter :
Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Mahatransco) has started using drones to carry out inspection and maintenance assessment of power transmission lines. Maintenance work of very high voltage lines of Mahatransco like ground patrolling, tower top patrolling, survey etc were carried out by using drones after availing necessary permissions from Directorate General of Civil Aviation. According to Dr Nitin Raut, Energy Minister of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister of Nagpur district, using drones saved time, money, and manpower resource of Mahatransco.
Mahatransco has become the pioneer company in the country to use drone in power sector. Central Government also has recognised the Mahatransco initiative recently, stated Dr Raut. He also appreciated the entire team of Mahatransco along with Dinesh Waghmare, Chairman and Managing Director. Drones are very useful for works relating to transmission lines especially in remote areas. As the work of maintenance and repairs of the transmission lines are carried out with the help of drones, the jobs are done in a faster and better manner.
The drones used have video camera and thermo-vision camera, which help in immediate detection of faults on transmission lines, thereby helping in faster repairs. The drone cameras will be used for survey in case of new projects. Mahatransco officials can watch the drone movements from office. The drones can fly up to a maximum height of upto 50 meters. Mahatransco is the largest power transmission company in the country. It has sub-stations of 681 EHV capacity, 48,321 circuit kilometer of transmission lines, 1,28,990 MVA transformer capacity in the State and transmission machinery with capacity to handle 25,000 MW power.