Mobile Power Facilities Maintenance System Using Augmented Reality

The enormity-in scale and complexity-of power facilities calls for reliance on professional expertise in inspection and maintenance, requiring considerable investment in terms of time and effort. Consequently, the implementation of augmented reality (AR) technology onsite, which would enable a superimposed display of additional virtual information on real equipment to aid intuitive understanding, is expected to elevate work productivity to new levels. Among various power facilities run by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), AR has been incorporated into (1) the trunked radio system: currently employed in the sharing of the 380 MHz frequency band and intelligent automated distribution equipment and (2) remote terminal unit equipment: a device for real-time monitoring, control, and measurement from a remote site among substation facilities to develop a mobile onsite facility inspection system. Moreover, an AR-based remote collaboration system has been developed, through which real-time video images taken by onsite workers using a camera can be shared with an expert in the office to facilitate effective collaboration. Maintenance work such as the inspection and replacement of power facility equipment demands much time and expense, with the complexity of facility operations requiring expert knowledge. Accordingly, the application of AR technology, which enables the overlay of virtual information on real-world facilities, is expected to result in remarkable productivity and efficiency improvements.