SocalGas to monitor distribution network with hydrogen drones
Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) is set to pilot hydrogen-powered drones to monitor its gas distribution network.
The ‘largest gas distribution utility in the US’ and a retailer to approximately 22 million customers will implement the pilot in partnership with energy technology firm GTI and Doosan Mobility Innovation.
SoCalGas will test Doosan Mobility Innovation’s DS30 hydrogen-powered drone system which the company claims the fuel cell powerpack provides up to 120 minutes of flight time. This is the flight time required to monitor up to 1 mile of gas pipeline
Have you read?
Hydrogen-powered drones hold potential for offshore energy
Utilities are leaders of drone adoption – report
Likely drone attack on Pennsylvania substation
The powerpack cap power the drone for up to 2 hours and is approximately 4 to 5 times higher in density compared to lithium-ion batteries, according to a statement.
The fuel cells have a life span of over 1,000 hours.
In addition to reducing the utility’s carbon footprint, the drones will enable real-time grid monitoring which can help optimise management and maintenance.
The drone provide will provide SoCalGas with close-up digital photography of distribution lines, imagery for aerial mapping and three-dimensional topographic models for deeper insight on terrains surrounding the utility’s operations.
Additionally, the drone system can provide a video record of pipeline routes, construction sites, open trenches, and working conditions.
T&D professionals from around the world will gather in Dallas, Texas, on 26-28 January 2022
to attend DISTRIBUTECH International. Register today.
Neil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas said: “This hydrogen-powered drone offers an opportunity to more efficiently monitor our pipelines in hard to access areas, allowing us to collect more data to quickly solve potential pipeline integrity issues.
“This project is a great demonstration of the versatility of hydrogen and its broad range of applications as a clean fuel of the future. Adopting advanced monitoring hydrogen drone technology to maintain the integrity of our pipeline system is part of our mission to build the cleanest, safest, and most innovative energy company in America.”
SoCalGas has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
The pilot is part of a US Department of Energy programme which aims to showcase various applications of hydrogen for cost-effective decarbonisation.
