How did mobile LiDAR scanning speed up and improve the powerline 3D model creation and encrochment assessment?

Mobile LiDAR scanning, including backpack lidar scanners and mobile-mounted lidar scanners, is becoming increasingly significant in powerline distribution modelling for design and reconnection operations. These scanning technologies provide several advantages in terms of efficiency, EHS, and lowering resident disruptions.

For starters, Mobile LiDAR scanners can capture precise three-dimensional data of topography, structures, and vegetation, allowing the production of very realistic powerline models. This considerably enhances design productivity while also minimising the need for manual measurements, which may be time-consuming and costly.

Second, by eliminating the need for flying drones over substations, residential area, and crowd streets, mobile LiDAR scanning can help to reduce associated EHS risks for aerial LiDAR scanning. This not only lessens the chance of drone crashing into the assets, but also privacy concerns from the residents.

Finally, by reducing the need for road closures and restricting access, LiDAR scanners can help reduce disturbances to residents. This is especially critical in residential areas, where traditional total station laser scanning can create more disruptions and inconvenience to people and traffic.

Aside from these advantages, LiDAR scanning can be used to identify potential hazards or obstacles that may jeopardise the safety and reliability of powerlines. LiDAR scanning can assist power companies in optimising powerline routes by anticipating potential obstacles and hazards. This can help to reduce the need for costly and time-consuming rework and repairs, lowering downtime and enhancing power grid reliability. By providing detailed information on the vegetation and terrain surrounding powerlines, LiDAR scanning can improve the accuracy of environmental impact assessments. This can assist power businesses in identifying and mitigating potential environmental issues, hence lowering their influence on local ecosystems. For example, by using LiPowerline LiDAR point cloud post-processing software, we are able to identify the dangerous points of vegetation to powerline, and plan the vegetation trimming operation accordingly, furthermore, it can also forecast the vegetation growing and estimate the powerline & vegetation clearing in future years. 

Furthermore, the use of mobile-mounted LiDAR scanners can be especially effective for large-scale projects involving transmission lines. These scanners may be put on vehicles and collect data quickly across large distances. This can considerably enhance design efficiency and eliminate the requirement for personnel to operate in hazardous or difficult-to-reach regions.

Overall, terrestrial LiDAR scanning, including backpack lidar scanners and mobile-mounted lidar scanners, is changing how power companies approach distribution powerline modelling for design and reconnection operations. LiDAR scanning has become a crucial tool for power companies trying to construct and manage safe, dependable, and sustainable power systems by enhancing efficiency, decreasing EHS risks, minimising disturbances to residents, and improving the accuracy of powerline modelling.