’Magic balls’ installed by drones may soon be revolutionizing the US power grid: ‘Unrivaled quality at scale’::High-voltage power lines in the United States will soon be monitored by “magic balls” from Norway.

  • @abhibeckert
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    10 months ago

    The ones you’ve seen are probably just simple markers to help low flying aircraft (crop dusters, helicopters, etc) see the power lines.

    WA has a… unique energy grid. AFAIK you’ve basically only got a proper grid for the south west quarter of your state, which is not even connected to most (by area, not population) of WA, let alone part of the national grid. Most of Australia, even Tasmania, is on a national grid which transmits power over very long distances and that’s where power line management becomes especially important.

    The WA grid also doesn’t actually need to transmit much power, since virtually all of the power consumption is in Perth which has several local redundant power supplies. It’s really only small towns that would ever need to get their power from any significant distance.

    • @[email protected]
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      310 months ago

      Most remote capital in the world checking in!

      Yeah, the SWIS is totally isolated from any other grid, meaning it cannot rely on interconnects to help with variable generation.

      There is starting to be a coal generation issue coming up!

      No crop dusters in the city, but potentially, as it is not too far from Jandakot airport.

      I will ask some mate what they recon. They work in the industry. If I go past I’ll take a photo for you.

      • @[email protected]
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        210 months ago

        Was in WA recently on a holiday and was wondering what those things were! Was surprised to see so many interesting sights to see there though, like the Pinnacles for instance. What impressed me the most though was being able to get a haircut - and a pretty good one at that - for just $15! Here in NZ it costs at least $30 for a decent haircut, which I now feel is a massive ripoff.