Heavy lift drones have been used to string power lines over a culturally sensitive waterway near Collie safeguarding its protection.
The line stringing spanned several hundred metres over Bingham River, a cultural and environmentally sensitive area, and was undertaken by Western Power’s partners GenusPlus Group and Sensr Solutions to connect Synergy’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System project.
Western Power Acting Head of Major Works Ross Davies said the project had involved excellent collaboration and innovation by Genus and Sensr Solutions enabling their teams to deliver a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective power line stringing solution.
“The next-generation technology heavy lift drones have been employed a couple of times on this project which is work that would traditionally have been completed using helicopters,” Mr Davies said.
As well as mitigating any environmental impact, drone operations reduce the interference with other site activities, which can often be a concern with helicopter use.
Drones also reduce the need for planned power outages causing minimal disruption to the network, as well as facilitating pre-stringing, ensuring seamless conductor pulling at a later stage.
Additionally, there are time efficiencies with the drones allowing for quicker operations with no need to refuel and downtime associated with manned crews.
“It’s pleasing to see the project progress. Genus and their project partners have been very proactive in providing solutions to allow the completion of the project in the required timeframe,” he said.