30th October, 2024 United Kingdom

AssetCool has achieved a global first in delivering a corona noise mitigation surface treatment to overhead power lines using an innovative fleet of in-situ robotic solutions. The project took place in the United Kingdom in October, on a double-circuit twin conductor transmission line, with robots applying AssetCool SE05 coating. The project included nine kilometres of robot work, estimated at one of the single largest power line robotics project deployments to date.

The SE05 superhydrophilic inorganic nanocoating, specifically engineered by AssetCool, addresses the challenge of wet audible corona noise, reducing it by up to six decibels in laboratory settings on twin bundle 400kV conductors. The technology works by minimising water contact angle, so that the water droplets on the surface are less able to vibrate in response to the passing AC voltage. It is the vibrating droplets on the surface of the conductor which result in the problematic low frequency “hum”. This demonstration holds significant potential for mitigating the acoustic output from high-voltage power lines, a critical consideration in noise-sensitive areas. This is becoming increasing prevalent where conductors need to be voltage uprated, increasing the electric field at the surface of the conductor, and concomitant noise. Being able to mitigate noise from conductors in wet conditions, is a powerful new tool for utilities at a challenging time for grid expansion.

To deploy this technology at scale, to existing conductors, AssetCool utilized its advanced CapacityN In-Situ PowerLine Coating Robot System. In a demonstration of both scalability and efficiency, a fleet of semi-autonomous robots successfully covered up to five kilometres of robot work per day. This achievement underscores the potential for future large-scale applications, allowing for comprehensive corona noise management across vast distances.

As part of the long-term assessment of the SE05 coating’s noise reduction benefits, dedicated microphones monitored the coated power lines after the application of SE05, providing data to support the ongoing impact of this innovative solution.

The data collected from the treated transmission lines demonstrated a year-on-year reduction consistent with laboratory results, confirming the feasibility of deploying functional coatings at scale, with the performance consistency over smaller laboratory samples. The results will be formally reported through official scientific channels in due course.

Dr Niall Coogan, CEO of AssetCool, commented on the achievement: “Delivering this scale of service is a significant milestone for AssetCool. Moving from initial pilots over hundreds of meters, to nine kilometres in a matter of weeks demonstrates incredible learning effects and a trajectory towards deploying this at scale in the near future. It is a profound achievement to have innovated at a foundational level across materials science, robotics and power systems to generate a novel way for addressing overhead line problems. Historically this would have required heavy engineering, large CAPEX interventions, which we obviate with a fraction of the cost. We look forward to further deployments.”

AssetCool aims to expand this deployment across the UK, further demonstrating its unique position at the intersection of power systems, robotics, and materials science. With advanced solutions addressing complex challenges such as ice, corrosion, capacity, and corona noise, AssetCool offers an innovative and efficient approach to overcoming long-standing challenges in the power sector.