Introduction
Substation inspections require a dedicated flight and specific capture parameters to ensure reliable analysis. This article outlines the required flight setup, image capture settings, and processing approach for substation areas, including those inspected alongside broader solar thermography missions.
Flight plan
A dedicated flight must be conducted for the substation area using a double grid pattern with consistent margins beyond the site boundaries.
Visual (RGB) Data Requirements
Ground Sample Distance (GSD): 1-1.5cm per pixel at ground level
Front Overlap: 80%
Side Overlap: 80%
Flight Path: Maintain the same margins and include flight lines outside the substation boundary as in normal missions
Flight Line Direction: Not critical due to the double grid approach
Gimbal Orientation: -50°
Image Format: JPEG with standard metadata including GPS, relative altitude, gimbal pitch, yaw, roll, and local timestamp
Image Quality: In focus, free from motion blur and minimal glare
Thermal Data Requirements
Ground Sample Distance (GSD): 4.5cm per pixel at ground level
Capture: Thermal imagery collected concurrently with RGB
Front Overlap: 80%
Side Overlap: 80%
Gimbal Orientation: -50°
Image Format: Radiometric format such as R-JPEG or Radiometric TIF, with standard metadata (GPS, relative altitude, gimbal pitch, yaw, roll, local timestamp)
Image Quality: In focus, free from motion blur and minimal glare
Environmental and Site Conditions
Operational State: Substation should be operating under normal conditions with current running through components
Weather: Aim for stable conditions to minimize wind and glare. If possible the inspection can be conducted with cloud coverage to avoid direct sunlight on the components. Flights in the morning/evening would be better to limit the effect of direct sunlight.
Hardware compatibility
Compatible with all standard drones used for thermography inspections
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): High-voltage substations generate EMI, which can interfere with drone navigation and sensors. Please be aware of this when flying Substations and always operate from a safe distance from the machinery & components.