The sensing and detection technologies described in this section use sensors to detect physical, chemical, or biological property quantities and convert them into readable signals. These sensors offer real-time monitoring, including detection and reporting as needed to mitigate wildfires.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) sensing and detection capabilities include:
- Distribution Arcing Fault Signature Library
- Monitoring Structural Health of High Voltage Transmission Lines
- Real-time Aerial Sensors for Extreme Environments
- Multi-modal Autonomous Vehicle NETworks
Distribution Arcing Fault Signature Library
ORNL, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Pacific Gas and Electric developed a high-fidelity sensor cluster. Installed on an electric distribution feeder (substation outlet), this sensor cluster captures grid signatures that can be used as early indicators of arcing to identify and mitigate fire risk. The sensor cluster must be installed in an operational utility service area to capture real signatures.
Learn more here
Contact: Aaron Wilson, wilsonaj@ornl.gov
Monitoring Structural Health of High Voltage Transmission Lines
ORNL created a “smart patch” to monitor the structural health of compression connectors used in high-voltage transmission lines, which can fail because of thermal aging and fatigue. This technology, which incorporates piezoelectric transducers and electromechanical impedance analysis, was developed as part of the Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development project.
Learn more here
Contact: Hong Wang, wangh@ornl.gov
Real-time Aerial Sensors for Extreme Environments
ORNL is working with the U.S. Forestry Service to develop real-time, airborne, and ground asbestos sensors to use during forest fire operations. This technology could be particularly valuable for Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites that may release toxins into the air if affected by a wildfire. ORNL has also demonstrated that an unmanned aircraft system can measure grid components (e.g., pole-mounted transformers, IntelliRupters) with live visual-, thermal-, and sensor-reading feeds with the utility control center at the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga.
To learn more, visit the Early Survey of Best Practices for the Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems by the Electric Utility Industry
Learn more here
Contact: Peter Fuhr, fuhrpl@ornl.gov
Multi-modal Autonomous Vehicle NETwork (MAVNet)
ORNL created the MAVNet system to provide reliable and robust command, control, communication, and computing of unmanned vehicles. MAVNet’s technology can be used for beyond visual line of sight command and control swarm operations, and a secure implementation of the Internet of Drones. Through the development of advanced sensors, along with the integration of MAVNet, a situational awareness platform can be created that pulls real-time thermal and electro-optical video/images from both unmanned aviation systems and manned aircraft to identify fire locations and evaluate post-fire damage with integration into visualization platforms such as Eagle-ITM.
Learn how ORNL UAS technology is used in search and rescue missions in the Smokies.
Learn more here
Contact: Andrew Duncan, duncanam@ornl.gov
View the April 2021 webinar recording, download the presentations, and read the transcript.