Recently, State Grid Zhenjiang Power Supply Company completed the first complex urban drone cable laying operation in Xilaiqiao town, Zhenjiang city, Jiangsu province. The staff members used a hexacopter drone to tow a 3-millimeter diameter traction rope, allowing them to complete the traditionally 4-hour power cable laying task in just one hour. The entire operation did not interrupt traffic or affect the electricity usage of surrounding residents, achieving a zero-interruption upgrade of the power grid.

Xilaiqiao town is located in a riverside area within a special geographical location, where passing vehicles are dense and the corridor for power lines is narrow. Traditional power cable laying relies on manual and vehicular coordination, which is not only inefficient but can often cause traffic congestion and damage to public green facilities. Addressing the difficulties, the local power supply department applied a combination of drones and the live-line working method. They accurately crossed rivers, harbors and roads with drones, reducing the construction-affected area to 10 percent of traditional operations and reducing mechanical workload by 80 percent.

"Using drones for cable laying not only avoids power outages for users but also saves the cost of traditional crossing tower construction, achieving precision like in a microsurgery," said the project leader, Zhu Peng.

The power cables laid this time can be used to build a wireless power network, achieve the millisecond-level transmission of distribution network data, and increase the fault-locating working efficiency by 80 percent. They can also timely warn of the risk of line overload and further enhance the power grid's intelligence.