– The lifespan is difficult to assess, but with this technology we may be able to improve it. Senior researcher at Norce Arnoud Jochemsen talks about wooden poles, of which there are probably over 5 million in Norway today. From his base in Grimstad, he has worked on a project where the aim is to investigate whether rot in wooden posts can be detected from a distance through the use of new sensor technology. The background is that wooden posts rot after a few years, and that they are often taken down long before it is necessary. It is so that they do not become dangerous for the environment – 7 out of 10 stubbles are replaced too early, so we can potentially save large sums of money on this technology, says Jochemsen. Infrared rays The project is led by the research institute Norce. The posts are illuminated with infrared radiation that penetrates the wood. By analyzing the reflected light with a hyperspectral camera, you can get a picture of what the posts look like inside. The camera records several hundred colors that cannot be seen with the naked eye. – This can tell us how long the post has left, says Jochemsen. Poles today have an average of 7 years of life left when they are replaced. The research may mean that they can last longer before being replaced. Arnoud Jochemsen is a senior researcher at the DARWIN research group in Grimstad. Photo: Kai Stokkeland / news NOK 280 million a year The researchers behind the technology say that large parts of the power grid are overmature. They calculate that the replacement will cost society NOK 140 billion in the coming years. This is according to senior researcher Gry Alfredsen at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomics. Moving low-voltage grid poles costs around NOK 20,000 and a high-voltage grid pole around NOK 100,000. If their estimates that 70 per cent of the poles are taken out too early are correct, annual savings of NOK 280 million will be achieved. In addition, around 8,084 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved, according to the researchers’ calculations. Replacing entire lines Communications manager at Glitre Nett Nils Tore Augland confirms that poles can rot. – It depends a little on how old they are and where they stand, he says. Glitre Nett owns and maintains the power grid in Agder, Buskerud and Hadeland. Nils Tore Augland in Glitre nett is positive about the new technology. Photo: Kai Stokkeland / news Augland says that they occasionally replace entire lines. – Then it can be done with some posts that had a longer lifespan, he says. All wooden poles are inspected every five years. It can be resource-intensive because the inspectors have to go along all the posts for the detection of rot. He is therefore positive about the new research from the researchers in Grimstad. – Hopefully this means that we can operate our power grid more efficiently. – Does that mean that we can get lower internet rent? – Yes, we can hope so, says Augland. Published 27/09/2024, at 16.35
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New research can save society 280 million a year – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
