Next-Generation Power Line Robotics for Efficiency, Safety, and GHG Reduction

FulcrumAir Inc.


Project Type

Development

Project Value

$3,000,000

Project Status

Contribution Agreement

Location

Calgary, AB

Funding Amount

$1,500,000

Transmission line construction methods have not seen much evolution in the last decade, and the reliance on bucket trucks, cranes, and helicopters can make the process slow, carbon-intensive, costly, and hazardous for workers, creating a critical barrier to meeting national electrification targets. By contrast, FulcrumAir’s all-electric LineFly™ robotic tools are hoisted by their purpose-built E2500 drone, completing transmission line spacer, lead-line and bird-diverter installation tasks without helicopters or bucket trucks. The system builds on 100,000+ bird diverters already installed by the FulcrumAir LineFly™. The project is designed to replace helicopters or bucket-truck crews with the UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicle – “drone”) platform, reducing CO2 emitted per spacer by 93% and per diverter by 96%. The project is also lowering noise, local air pollutants, land disturbance, erosion and worker risk.