GasBuddy Blog

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Civilian Drones to Search for Downed Power Lines During Blackouts

Popular Science -- Today in ways the impending domestic drone explosion is going to change your life: a number of utilities are testing new technologies that will allow them to quickly diagnose grid problems and rapidly restore electricity to areas stricken by blackouts--technologies that include augmented reality apps and aerial drones. These prototype systems could go a long way toward streamlining the grid repair process, quickly returning households and local economies to normal after sever weather events or other power-related calamities.

One such solution, developed by the nonprofit research group EPRI (for Electric Power Research Institute), is a prototype app for the iPad that uses augmented reality to allow utility workers to quickly dial up orders for replacement equipment. A worker driving a str

Read the Full Article

Submitted Aug 05, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Civilian Drones to Search for Downed Power Lines During Blackouts	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

SycamoreISU Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,040 Points:261,935 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 7:41:21 AM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse I think I'd rather wait a little longer to have power restored than to worry about drones being used for other, less noble purposes.
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,551 Points:769,545 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 1:14:48 AM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse The use of camera equipped drones to patrol transmission and distribution lines in areas where outages have occurred makes sense. The customer either pays through rates for a utility company employee in a service truck or a mechanical device (a drone with a camera) to do an on sight damage assessment along downed line sections. It will be much cheaper to use a camera equipped drone than a service man in a service truck to the extent possible.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,835 Points:645,200 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 6, 2012 12:00:29 AM Ignore bston Report Abuse Having a generator as back up in case power goes out is invaluable!
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,615 Points:1,207,555 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 10:50:44 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Interesting article NH! Thanks for posting. Although I thought our new meters would automatically notify the power company of an outage.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,143 Points:1,388,765 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:27:17 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse The potential for helpful positive applications will continue to be explored. For those so inclined? The potential for invasive & probably illegal applications will also :0\| Thanks for sharing NHLiveFree ;0}
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,089 Points:1,451,250 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:17:24 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse mabrams184: This is going to potentially be a very slippery slope. It will be very tempting for some agencies to use this technology for not so legal reasons. You mean like invading a country that was of no threat to us? That was done even without this "slippery slope." But it's a good idea, and perhaps even using drones in wildfires to look for people could be a great idea.
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,114 Points:536,715 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:49:38 PM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse This is going to potentially be a very slippery slope. It will be very tempting for some agencies to use this technology for not so legal reasons.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,098 Points:800,175 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:33:19 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse A bill passed in by Congress in February paves the way for the use of surveillance drones in US skies on a widespread basis. The FAA predicts that by 2020 there could be up to 30,000 drones in operation nationwide. US law enforcement bodies are already using drone technology to spy on Americans. In December last year, aPredator B drone was called in to conduct surveillance over a family farm in North Dakota as part of a SWAT raid on the Brossart family, who were suspects in the egregious crime of stealing six missing cows. Local police in this one area have already used the drone on two dozen occasions since June last year. Last summer, the Department of Homeland Security gave the green light for police departments in the United States to deploy the ShadowHawk mini drone drone helicopter that has the ability to taze suspects from above as well as carrying 12-gauge shotguns and grenade launchers. The drone, also used against insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, is already being used by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office in Texas. Were losing our liberty, privacy and rights because they need to protect us......feel safe? “Again, (America is) a stupid country with stupid people who don’t pay attention.” — Obnoxious Quotes From Bill Maher
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,499 Points:735,345 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 1:44:17 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Good thinking.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,374 Points:2,146,265 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 1:04:57 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Aug 5, 2012 6:47:55 AM, BeatOPEC wrote: >These advances were made possible by the military. If >Obama keeps cutting our defense, we will lose out on a >ot of innovations. Given that the Internet was a Department of Defense innovation, maybe we should cut their research money for the next hundred years. >It has already happened with NASA. NASA launches iPhones into orbit to perform scientific research. Don't ask me what scientific research you can perform on an iPhone, the NASA apologists thought it was a great idea. And as to NASA's manned space flight capacity, the gap where they are dependent on Russia was one of Bush's big ideas. NASA just got done cutting huge checks to Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corporation and SpaceX to develop the next generation of American manned spacecraft.
mamaontheroad Veteran Author Columbus Posts:285 Points:88,920 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 12:30:05 PM Ignore mamaontheroad Report Abuse great idea - our college engineers can stay employed by developing safer means to help after natural disasters. :)
iagdboy Champion Author Albany Posts:1,211 Points:500,400 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 12:22:21 PM Ignore iagdboy Report Abuse no jobs are safe
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,755 Points:604,445 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 10:07:04 AM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse interesting
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:8,549 Points:1,726,970 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 9:03:07 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse A very worthy application of this technology.
CivicMA Champion Author Boston Posts:1,912 Points:538,795 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:57:35 AM Ignore CivicMA Report Abuse Great idea!
wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,274 Points:697,855 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:35:37 AM Ignore wamster Report Abuse Underground lines are great in hurricane prone areas, but not so good in earthquake country. It will certainly save fuel costs from trucks driving all over and searching.
APlus Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,928 Points:994,145 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:22:21 AM Ignore APlus Report Abuse Powerlines underground or above can go out - these drones find them faster.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,575 Points:1,547,300 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:18:28 AM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Another good use for drones.
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,525 Points:536,460 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:18:21 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Also get as much powerlines buried underground so these things will not happen in the first place!
RONALD777 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,452 Points:366,655 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:10:31 AM Ignore RONALD777 Report Abuse As long as they don't let the IRS borrow the drones at tax time to make sure we all pay lots of taxes.
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,355 Points:573,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:01:06 AM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Had GW Bush did his job to protect America's homeland in the months before 9-11 then we wouldnt be talking about civilian drones. His social and cultural conservatives agendas were much more important.
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:9,133 Points:1,452,660 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 8:00:11 AM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse I don't believe you can fly a drone in a bad storm.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,179 Points:1,301,145 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:45:45 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse Many live in an augmented reality state these days. Green this and that
werich44 Champion Author California Posts:1,872 Points:471,730 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:37:58 AM Ignore werich44 Report Abuse King Obama wants you to believe this would be a good thing.
daequitz Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,332 Points:1,386,530 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:27:25 AM Ignore daequitz Report Abuse A door is opening....that's how it starts.
subnuke Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,503 Points:1,510,640 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:13:22 AM Ignore subnuke Report Abuse more big brother
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,133 Points:874,930 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:12:26 AM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Interesting article, but better suited for a forum other than this. kirzon484 - good comment!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,090 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:11:11 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Using drones to search for downed or inoperative power lines would be cheaper BUT they can be used for other things too. Monitoring the speed of vehicles on roads and highways, monitoring speeders that are trying to escape the police, monitoring drug houses and many other ways that a helicopter would be too expensive or more quiet to do. Once more state governments and businesses get a hold of drones, they can be used for other purposes. It's not just military drones for use, there are plenty of private drones available for sale. Some are cheap enough for citizens to use as a hobby, with cameras mounted, but they lack the ability to stay in the air for long periods of time. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,277 Points:2,451,175 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:10:41 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse As an employee of a small utility, I see this as a great idea. When there are power outages everyone wants to stop you to ask when the power will be back on. It would be great to get past the people and get to the problem area to assess it.
Foxt Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,275 Points:2,023,255 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:09:52 AM Ignore Foxt Report Abuse If there's a need someone will fill it. So how's this pertain to gas?
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:7,903 Points:2,101,180 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:09:34 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Drones will take over the world.
kirzon484 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,881 Points:436,210 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:09:08 AM Ignore kirzon484 Report Abuse a chip here, a chip there. one rock at a time to take the freedom mountain down.
RichardoB Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:8,017 Points:2,006,110 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:06:56 AM Ignore RichardoB Report Abuse Good innovative thinking.
checkum Champion Author St. Louis Posts:7,608 Points:1,477,065 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:02:32 AM Ignore checkum Report Abuse an excuse to use spy drones!
mnbeancounter Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,764 Points:1,065,740 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 7:00:30 AM Ignore mnbeancounter Report Abuse Interesting what is happening-what else are they looking for?
METEOR49 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,187 Points:458,150 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:59:12 AM Ignore METEOR49 Report Abuse maybe we could use the drones to find the highest priced gas station in town and destroy it , kinda makes the competition take notice .
FMREALTOR Champion Author Florida Posts:6,420 Points:1,699,930 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:57:26 AM Ignore FMREALTOR Report Abuse Interesting, and my home does not need the new electric monitoring system that allowed the power company to terminate all the meter readers.
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,276 Points:930,950 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:55:50 AM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse With all the cell phones today maybe you should dail * then a number to let utilities know where the lines are.
swepson Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,483 Points:1,554,600 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:54:20 AM Ignore swepson Report Abuse That's the first useful application I've seen.
VPSNC Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:450 Points:163,795 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:52:01 AM Ignore VPSNC Report Abuse the gas prices angle is....?
RichWLIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:4,112 Points:641,790 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:51:39 AM Ignore RichWLIN Report Abuse Do the drones seek search for the lowest gas prices too?
PhilMils Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,265 Points:1,186,460 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:50:59 AM Ignore PhilMils Report Abuse Sounds like a good use.
bababooey2 Champion Author Hartford Posts:6,367 Points:1,305,765 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:50:51 AM Ignore bababooey2 Report Abuse Differant.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,621 Points:1,365,740 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:50:43 AM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse And well there up there a couple of air strikes. Environmental protesters come to mind.
lsb1955 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:2,043 Points:522,495 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:50:31 AM Ignore lsb1955 Report Abuse ok
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:6,173 Points:1,278,660 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:50:13 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Good idea.
TravelinMan52 Champion Author Augusta Posts:1,940 Points:966,570 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:49:30 AM Ignore TravelinMan52 Report Abuse If it's beneficial, why not try it??
curlypooh Champion Author New Jersey Posts:11,187 Points:2,008,720 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:49:25 AM Ignore curlypooh Report Abuse I fly, getting around the birds is bad enough down low. Banging into one of these things is not my idea of a 'good hair day' :(
bigsranch Champion Author Houston Posts:3,161 Points:1,008,405 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:49:16 AM Ignore bigsranch Report Abuse Wonder if those drones will be armed when looking for downed power lines. You know... just in case there's any looting during the blackout.
Rick52 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:12,046 Points:1,201,570 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2012 6:49:03 AM Ignore Rick52 Report Abuse They are going to be searching for many other things too !!! Watch out here comes Big Brother ..