ICARE-Chronos Technology: Drone-Deployed Probes for Accurate and Simultaneous Temperature and Sag Measurement of Power Lines

Rising energy demand places strain on existing transmission networks, driving electrical utilities to implement upgrades, particularly through current uprating. Increased current induces conductor heating, diminishing ground clearance, a pivotal consideration. Airborne lidar scanning is an efficient means of assessing ground clearance, yet it necessitates the estimation of conductor temperature through thermal models, introducing notable uncertainties. In an effort to dramatically reduce these uncertainties, this paper introduces drone-deployed probes for efficient, accurate and simultaneous measurement of temperature and sag on live power lines. Leveraging differential GNSS and contact temperature sensors, the ICARE-Chronos technology is validated through field tests on a real 315 kV live power line.