A recent environmental report by the US EPA revealed that the electric power industry contributed over 25% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 alone. This is closely followed by the industry sector, with around 24% of the total GHG for the same year. From this data, you can see the crucial role that the electric power and industry sector plays in changing their practices to reduce the detrimental effects of GHG on the environment. Apart from industry leaders, sustainability experts, like environmental and conservation scientists, study the impacts of GHG and recommend preventive sustainability practices.
As a result, more businesses and government agencies are actively consulting sustainability experts who are knowledgeable about environmental preservation and can apply these practices to business operations. With the help of these professionals, relevant stakeholders can develop initiatives that mitigate environmental and health issues, such as pollution and water contamination. Apart from advocating positive environmental change, sustainability experts also work with landowners, businesses, and governments to ensure that their existing practices are safe for the environment and local habitats. This helps businesses make changes aligned with preserving the environment, such as adopting new sustainable technologies.
Since you cannot forgo the use of electricity, one of the ways you can reduce electric power’s impact on the environment is by optimizing electrical grid inspections. Among its various benefits, here are the positive impacts of electric grid optimization:
Apart from the toxic carbon dioxide produced during the generation of electricity, there are also other potentially toxic gasses that transmission lines emit that you should be aware of. For example, a recent study on UV radiation emitted by corona shows that temperature and atmospheric pressure affect the air around electric transmission lines. As a result, corona discharge from the ionization of air surrounding high voltage transmission lines produces ozone gas and nitric oxide, which poses health hazards to nearby humans and the environment.
Moreover, most high-voltage circuit breakers and switches used in the transmission and distribution of electricity are insulated with sulfur hexafluoride. If this equipment is not regularly maintained and inspected, it can leak sulfur hexafluoride into the atmosphere, which is a potent greenhouse gas. By being more attentive to the inspection and maintenance of transmission lines using high-technology monitoring equipment, you can reduce or prevent the possibility of GHG emissions from transmission lines.
A report by the National Conference of State Legislatures discussed how new grid technologies improve the resilience and reliability of electric power supply in the US. This is possible because “smart grid” technologies are equipped with two-way communication technologies, control systems, and computer processing features that allow operators to assess grid stability and even automatically report outages. Because it’s equipped with batteries that store excess energy, there are lower chances of frequent power outages due to unpleasant weather conditions. It also means utility providers can quickly restore electricity when outages occur. Additionally, electric providers can provide utilities at a lower cost because a modernized grid helps lower operational costs. By modernizing your electrical grid systems, you can optimize your electricity consumption and reduce overall carbon emissions because you will rely less on traditional electricity sources that depend on burning fossil fuels.
One way to optimize your grid inspection is by investing in equipment that will help you monitor and detect unusual changes in your energy supply. If you have transmission lines that require maintenance but are difficult to inspect, having a specialized unmanned aircraft system or a handheld corona camera, will help you monitor your transmission line effortlessly. Most aircraft systems are equipped with UV–Visible block camera modules, which enable you to see and record UV radiation and corona discharge emitted by power lines.
Post by: JBeckley
Ofil develops and manufactures UV Bi-spectral optical and digital inspection systems with embedded proprietary patented Solar Blind technology. Ofil aims at providing precise solutions for science, industry and environmental wellness. Ofil owns the brand name DayCor® that stands for Daytime Corona detection.
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