Delhi discom TPDDL plans to employ drones

Maintenance of distribution network

New Delhi: Power distribution company TPDDL is planning to employ drones for faster maintenance of its distribution network to offer "better and accurate" service resolutions to its seven million consumers in the national capital.

The distribution company used nano drones in two pilot projects at Ashok Vihar and Ranibagh in April-May 2018 to study the viability of drone application for surveillance of grids, sub-transmission lines network and grid equipment. 

The company used nano drones with flying capacity below 200 feet with permission from police and local authorities, said a Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) official. 

"With the pilot project we are exploring and developing applicability of drone technology in the power distribution sector. 

Usage of drones for maintenance will not only help us reduce the downtime, but will also give better insights for future projects," said TPDDL chief executive officer Sanjay Banga. 

The project will have wide application in the years to come and will help TPDDL serve its consumers better, Banga said. 

"The reliance on drones will provide faster, better and more accurate service resolution as well as enhance safety of personnel deployed for such daunting tasks," said the discom official.