IMPROVEMENT OF THE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM RELIABILITY BY MEANS OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

Abstract

Energy system of Ukraine comprises the distributed electric grids of complex configuration, the generating facilities and consumers of electric energy are located at large distances.Numerous objects of energy branch require constant monitoring.However, the upgrading of theequipment takes place at a slow rate that leads to the increase of the wear. Depreciation of equipment in the power supply system of Ukraine affects the reliability of power supply and quality indicators.Ageing and wear of the equipment results in the increase of accidents and emergencies.As it is impossible to completely replace the outdated equipment simultaneously, the concept of gradual replacement is adopted. In such conditions, maintaining of the operating condition of the equipment is ensured by the routine maintenance, performed by the operating crew. But the quantity of the staff constantly decreases, that is why, to maintain the operating conditions of the system new technologies should be developed and introduced which enable to detect the exact location of the fault and its character. The dependence of the system reliability on the frequency of riding inspections is shown. To achieve standard reliability values, the frequency of inspections should be a function of the wear of the equipment, and not a constant. Calculations are presented, showing the need to increase inspections to maintain the reliability of the system at the proper level. The increase in the frequency of inspections leads to the increase in the cost of servicing the power system, and as a result, the increase in the cost of electric energy. The authors suggest using unmanned aerial vehicles for the inspections, determination of the location of the accident. It is shown that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles will increase the number and quality of inspections, thereby increasing the reliability of the electric power system and, accordingly, reducing the cost of electric energy transportation.