Utility Pole Photogrammetry for Electric Grid Asset Inference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapidly changing and complex nature of electrical power grids necessitates accurate and efficient identification of electric power assets, which is challenging due to the limitations of existing ground-level imaging methods that often fail to cover inaccessible areas and are inefficient in updating grid models.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing oblique aerial imagery and photogrammetry techniques to capture images of utility poles and attached assets from multiple perspectives, enabling the detection of keypoints, measurement, and inference of electrical characteristics, such as voltage levels and line impedances, which are then used to update computer models of the electric grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ground-level imaging methods are used to identify electric power assets, then the system is simple to implement, but the coverage area is limited and inaccessible areas cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level (2D horizontal) imaging to aerial (3D vertical) imaging by deploying cameras on drones or aircraft. This dimensional change enables coverage of inaccessible areas and provides top-down views of utility poles and assets that ground-level cameras cannot capture, directly resolving the coverage limitation while accepting increased system complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional ground-level methods are used to update grid models, then the process is straightforward, but the update frequency is low and efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual ground-level inspection methods with automated aerial imaging and computer vision processing. Drones capture images of utility poles and assets, then AI algorithms automatically identify assets, measure dimensions, and update grid models without human intervention, dramatically improving update efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous or frequent updates of grid models by deploying aerial imaging platforms that can regularly capture new images of utility poles and assets. This continuous data collection and automated processing allows the grid model to be frequently updated to reflect changes in the physical infrastructure, unlike traditional periodic manual inspections.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images from various perspectives are captured to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a unified photogrammetry system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: capturing images from multiple perspectives, detecting keypoints on utility poles, calculating three-dimensional coordinates through triangulation, and deriving electrical characteristics. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one integrated solution, improving measurement precision while managing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the efficiency and scalability of electric grid modeling by covering wider areas quickly, allowing frequent updates and enhancing the accuracy of grid asset representations in computer models.
Implementation Method 1
By using photogrammetry, measurements of utility poles can be determined from the multiple views depicted in the oblique aerial images
Implementation Method 2
determining a first spatial location of a first keypoint by performing triangulation using the at least two images
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for identifying characteristics of electric grid assets are disclosed. A method includes obtaining a plurality of images, each image depicting at least one utility pole of an electric grid; detecting, in each of the plurality of images, keypoints of the at least one utility pole depicted in the image; determining, using the keypoints from at least two images of a particular utility pole, at least one measurement of the particular utility pole; determining, using the measurement of the particular utility pole, an electrical characteristic of an asset supported by the particular utility pole; and providing the electrical characteristic as an output. The two or more images include images of the particular utility pole captured from multiple different camera perspectives. The asset can include a capacitor, a transformer, a switch, a power line.