Power Transmission Line Inspections: Methods, Challenges, Current Status and Usage of Unmanned Aerial Systems

Condition monitoring of power transmission lines is an essential aspect of improving transmission efficiency and ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. Wherein, efficient inspection methods play a critical role for carrying out regular inspections with less effort & cost, minimum labour engagement and ease of execution in any geographical & environmental conditions. Earlier various methods such as manual inspection, roll-on wire robotic inspection and helicopter-based inspection are preferably utilized. In the present days, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) based inspection techniques are gradually increasing its suitability in terms of working speed, flexibility to program for difficult circumstances, accuracy in data collection and cost minimization. This paper reports a state-of-the-art study on the inspection of power transmission line systems and various methods utilized therein, along with their merits and demerits, which are explained and compared. Furthermore, a review was also carried out for the existing visual inspection systems utilized for power line inspection. In addition to that, blockchain utilities for power transmission line inspection are discussed, which illustrates next-generation data management possibilities, automating an effective inspection and providing solutions for the current challenges. Overall, the review demonstrates a concept for synergic integration of deep learning, navigation control concepts and the utilization of advanced sensors so that UAVs with advanced computation techniques can be analyzed with different aspects of implementation.