UAV based sensing and imaging technologies for power system detection, monitoring and inspection: a review

With the advancement and expansion of power system technology, ensuring the safe and stable operation of transmission lines has become increasingly crucial. Traditional manual inspection methods often suffer from low efficiency and high risks. In recent years, the rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has provided a new solution for power system inspection. UAV inspection offers advantages such as high flexibility, wide coverage, and relatively low overall costs, effectively improving inspection efficiency, reducing inspection costs, and mitigating personnel safety risks. A comprehensive review of the current state of UAV inspections in power systems is provided in this study, introducing the main sensing technologies and applications of UAV inspection, including visible light cameras, infrared thermal imaging, depth cameras, compound eye cameras, radar, X-rays, and ultrasonic sensors. It also discusses the challenges faced by UAV inspections in power systems, such as the complexity of data processing, the lack of automation, and the absence of regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, it put forward future development trends, including multi-sensor fusion, edge computing, cloud computing centres, multi-UAV collaboration, and the cooperation of various unmanned clusters. This work aims to serve as a reference for the research and application of UAV inspections in power systems.