SMART ENERGY WEEK: Streamlining Power Transmission Infrastructure Inspection Records Using High-Precision Location Information

What is SMART ENERGY WEEK? Its Role and Importance in the Industry

SMART ENERGY WEEK is one of the world’s largest comprehensive trade shows in the new energy sector. Held several times a year, it brings together the latest technologies and services across the energy industry—hydrogen energy, solar power generation, storage batteries, smart grids, wind power, and more. Many professionals gather there, including electric utilities, transmission and distribution operators, infrastructure maintenance companies, renewable power plant operators, and municipal infrastructure officials, making it a venue to learn about industry trends and find hints for solving problems. Technologies related to transmission networks and smart grids attract particular attention, and many solutions useful for maintaining and managing power infrastructure are showcased. SMART ENERGY WEEK offers a valuable opportunity to see and learn about these cutting-edge solutions firsthand and plays a very important role within the energy industry.

On-Site Challenges in Power Transmission Infrastructure Inspections

Infrastructure facilities such as transmission lines, towers, and substations spread across Japan require regular inspection and maintenance. However, several longstanding challenges have been pointed out at these sites.

Variability in location records: When reporting anomalies during inspections, recording the exact location can be surprisingly difficult. Some workers sketch locations by hand on maps or convey positions based on equipment numbers or landmarks, resulting in variability in the accuracy and methods of recordkeeping. For example, expressions like “approximately 50 m (164.0 ft) southwest of tower XX” can be interpreted differently by different people. Even when using handheld GPS, traditional devices have had position errors of several meters or more, so a later worker visiting the site might not be able to pinpoint the exact spot. Such inaccuracy in location information can lead to redundant repair work or overlooked issues.

Dependence on individual expertise: Inspections of transmission equipment often rely heavily on seasoned technicians with years of experience, making the work dependent on individual know-how. If each inspector follows their own procedures or judgment criteria, data quality and reporting content can vary. Even if an expert spots and reports anomalies accurately, a new employee may find it difficult to achieve the same inspection level. When veterans retire or transfer, field knowledge can be lost, and skill transfer becomes a challenge. In short, because inspection tasks are person-dependent and not standardized, organizational quality control and efficiency improvements are hindered.

Cumbersome reporting tasks: After inspections, preparing inspection reports is a major burden. Traditionally, notes taken in the field are brought back to the office, photos are organized, and information is transcribed into spreadsheets or paper forms with explanatory text about anomalous points. Double work often occurs when handwritten checklists or notebooks are re-entered into a computer, increasing the risk of missing or incorrectly entered information between the field and the reports. Approval processes with supervisors and related departments also take time when paper-based, so even if inspections are completed quickly, reporting can be delayed. The complexity of reporting tasks not only burdens personnel but also lengthens the lead time from inspection to corrective action.

To address these challenges—location inaccuracy, individual-dependent work, and reporting inefficiency—digital technology–based solutions have been sought in recent years. At the center of these efforts is the use of “high-precision location information.”

Why the Use of High-Precision Location Information Drives On-Site DX

Satellite positioning technologies represented by GPS have made dramatic advances in recent years, making high-precision location information easily obtainable. Notable examples include RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning and the centimeter-class positioning augmentation service (CLAS) provided by the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). RTK receives satellite signals at both a base station and a rover and corrects errors using their differences, reducing positioning errors that were once several meters down to a few centimeters. In addition, QZSS’s augmentation signal (CLAS) is being distributed to cover all of Japan, making stable centimeter-level positioning (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) possible even in mountainous areas without mobile network coverage.

The reason these high-precision location technologies attract attention is that they can become a driving force for DX (digital transformation) in inspection sites, which have traditionally been very analog. Specifically, by linking smartphones with high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), anyone can acquire and use accurate location data on a handheld device. Tasks that once required specialized surveying equipment or advanced skills—“pinpointing exact locations”—can be performed with palm-sized devices, fundamentally changing how fieldwork is conducted.

One of the primary benefits of high-precision location information is the improvement of data consistency and reliability. If every inspection record is tagged with unified coordinates such as latitude and longitude, organizations can share a common standard for understanding “where” and “what” is happening. This eliminates the previously mentioned variability in location records and allows information recorded by different personnel to be overlaid accurately on maps. Real-time sharing of geotagged data enables headquarters and other teams to instantly share the situation, speeding up decisions for emergency response.

Next, high-precision positioning also supports work standardization and labor-saving. Using smartphone apps that support high-precision GNSS, inspectors only need to follow on-screen prompts to record checklist items with location data. Even inexperienced personnel can rely on the device for proper positioning and recording, enabling objective data collection rather than depending on a veteran’s intuition and experience. As inspections are digitized, variability in human judgment is reduced, and consistent-quality results can be obtained regardless of who conducts the work. This helps eliminate individual dependence and makes organizational knowledge sharing easier.

Furthermore, high-precision geolocation enables seamless integration of fieldwork and reporting. When high-precision location data is recorded electronically on site, the later task of rewriting reports at the office is reduced. If a smartphone linked to the positioning device is used to take photos, the shot’s location and orientation are automatically recorded. Uploading that data to the cloud allows headquarters to view site photos on a map without waiting for paper reports, enabling rapid situational awareness. In this way, using high-precision location information is key to on-site DX and dramatically improves inspection accuracy and efficiency.

Examples of Smartphone Positioning and AR Use in Pole, Tower, and Substation Inspections

Combining high-precision positioning technologies, smartphones, and AR (augmented reality) is producing practical solutions for transmission infrastructure inspections that were previously unavailable. Here are some concrete use cases.

Pole and transmission tower inspections: Traditionally, inspections of poles and towers involved visual checks with binoculars or cameras, and when anomalies were found, inspectors would note nearby landmarks or structural parts. Updating this approach with a smartphone and high-precision GNSS changes the workflow. Inspectors can obtain centimeter-level positioning while photographing poles and towers using a positioning device attached to their smartphone. Photos are automatically tagged with the coordinates and orientation of the shooting location, so “which pole and where on the pole an anomaly occurred” can be recorded precisely. For example, if a loose bolt is found on a tower, it can be recorded not as a vague description like “a bolt on the northeast high side of tower XX” but as a coordinate with elevation information on a map, so that another worker visiting later can intuitively locate that bolt with AR guidance. With AR-enabled apps, markers or repair points indicating anomalies appear overlaid in the smartphone view, allowing users to confirm digital information combined with the real object. This helps prevent oversights and improve work efficiency.

Substation equipment inspections: Substations contain many devices and wiring, and inspection points vary by equipment. Here too, smartphone positioning and AR are proving useful. By preparing substation equipment information (layout diagrams and equipment IDs) as GIS data and loading it onto tablet devices that support high-precision positioning, inspectors can carry the tablet while touring the site and receive AR displays of virtual signs and guidance based on their current position and orientation. For example, the route of buried cables underfoot can be visualized on the ground with AR, or icons can be overlaid on equipment that requires inspection. As a result, workers can see at a glance which device to inspect next and where high-voltage cables to watch are located without consulting paper drawings or manuals, allowing them to focus on the task and reducing human error. Inspection results can be entered and sent from the tablet on site, eliminating the need to write reports back at the office.

Expansion of AR-assisted work support: AR use in power infrastructure inspections is spreading in various ways. For example, transmission line maintenance combines drone-acquired imagery and location information to analyze span distances and clearances from trees on a digital twin, while for field workers, a smartphone AR display can show “points where dangerous trees are approaching” in the real world to guide targeted pruning. High-precision positioning and AR are also beginning to be applied in wind farms and large-scale solar power facilities. For patrols among vast arrays of solar panels, tools have been devised that use GPS to match current position with inspection plans and display panel numbers in AR to prevent misses. In wind turbines, inspection points (for example, a specific position on a blade) can be photogrammetrically measured from the ground and coordinate-registered so that the same spot can be easily found in future inspections using AR guidance. In this way, the combination of smartphones, high-precision location information, and AR technology is entering practical use across a wide range of infrastructure inspections—from poles and towers to substations and renewable energy facilities.

Labor-Saving Reporting by Leveraging Photo Records, Point Cloud Data, and the Cloud

High-precision location information not only revolutionizes field inspection tasks but also transforms subsequent reporting work. The keywords are photo records, point cloud data, and the cloud that manages them.

Photos taken in the field have long been essential for report preparation. But simply taking photos often left people wondering later “where was this photo taken?” and required cross-referencing ledgers or maps to describe locations when pasting them into reports. With camera apps that support high-precision positioning, the shooting location (coordinates) and orientation are recorded as metadata at the moment of capture. Photos can then be plotted on a map in the cloud and listed, and clicking a photo can automatically display detailed information about that location. Report writers can select necessary photos from many and simply cite the automatically attached location data to create reports with accurate location descriptions quickly. When photos are linked to locations, approvers can better visualize the site, facilitating smoother sharing of report contents.

Recently, the use of 3D point cloud data has also attracted attention. Point cloud data is a collection of many points obtained by laser scanners (LiDAR) or photogrammetry that digitally represents the shapes of equipment and terrain in three dimensions. Until recently, point clouds were often associated with specialized contractors for measurement and analysis, but advances in smartphones and compact LiDAR devices have made it increasingly feasible for field workers themselves to acquire them. For example, without special equipment, LiDAR-equipped smartphones can be waved around a tower to generate a 3D model (point cloud) of the tower and its foundation using available tools. The obtained point cloud data is accompanied by high-precision coordinates, allowing measurements of difficult-to-reach high-altitude equipment dimensions or deformation amounts from the office.

Centralized management of large volumes of point cloud data and photos on cloud services dramatically streamlines reporting. For instance, if 360° camera photos and point clouds obtained during a substation inspection are uploaded to the cloud, stakeholders can share a “digital twin” of the site via a web browser. Even without visiting the site, users can freely view equipment and take measurements on-screen, enabling intuitive information sharing without explaining everything in a written report. Accumulating inspection data also simplifies comparisons with past records: some systems can overlay the previous inspection point cloud with the current data and automatically detect differences. This allows the progression of deterioration or deformation to be quantified and aids future predictive maintenance planning. For report writers, rich visual data makes it easier to present the situation than by writing text alone, reducing inadequate explanations and communication errors.

A digital reporting platform combining photos, point clouds, and the cloud not only makes reporting easier but also increases the utility of inspection results. Accumulated data can be analyzed by AI to detect early signs of anomalies, and comparing data across multiple sites can highlight priority repair areas—applications that support more advanced maintenance strategies. As high-precision data accumulates in the cloud, power transmission infrastructure maintenance operations will shift to a data-driven approach.

Advantages of LRTK Technology for Improving Efficiency, Safety, and Reproducibility

Making high-precision location information even more accessible is a technology called LRTK. LRTK is a solution that enables RTK-GNSS positioning with a compact, easily portable device and integrates it with smartphones for practical use. Traditional RTK positioning required fixed base stations or survey poles, but LRTK allows a receiver weighing a few hundred grams that integrates an antenna and battery to be attached to a smartphone, enabling centimeter-level positioning anytime, anywhere. Models compatible with Japan’s QZSS CLAS can receive augmentation signals from satellites and maintain high-precision positioning even in areas without mobile communication, such as deep mountains or disaster zones. This is a major advantage for inspections in mountainous areas and remote islands traversed by transmission lines or for damage surveys after large-scale disasters.

One expected benefit of LRTK is a significant increase in operational efficiency. Because the device is small, lightweight, and easy to set up, inspection teams do not need to call in specialized survey staff or prepare elaborate arrangements. For example, a maintenance worker can carry an LRTK device attached to a smartphone and simultaneously patrol, photograph, and record positions. Tasks that previously required separate patrols, measurements, and recordkeeping can now be completed in a single site visit, reducing duplication. Since recorded data can be sent to the cloud on the spot, time spent organizing data back at the office is also reduced. As a result, the same personnel can cover more equipment, improving overall productivity.

Improving safety is another important benefit. Reducing work at height or in hazardous areas contributes to safety. With LRTK, accurate distance measurements and position identification can be achieved remotely, reducing the need to approach dangerous spots for measurements. For example, when deciding whether a component at the top of a tower needs replacement, taking LRTK-enabled camera shots from the ground and analyzing the point cloud data could eliminate the need for workers to climb towers tens of meters high as often. AR-assisted work support can reduce mistakes and oversights, lowering accident risk. In addition, shorter working times and greater efficiency reduce workers’ physical and mental burden, which is crucial for safety because fatigue accumulation is a major cause of human error. Introducing LRTK to reduce worker burden therefore contributes to safety assurance.

LRTK also has a major impact on reproducibility. Once inspection data is acquired with LRTK, it is stored using position coordinates as a common language. When a different person inspects the same equipment next time, they can check the previous data on their smartphone and inspect exactly the same point. LRTK-compatible apps often include navigation to past recorded points, guiding users on maps or in AR with “this is the point photographed last time.” This eliminates uncertainty about “from which angle the previous photo was taken” or “which pole it was,” enabling consistent re-inspection regardless of who performs it. Standardized data formats stored in the cloud make records easy to reference over time. Even if personnel change, having coordinate-tagged digital records means the site situation can be reproduced without relying on personal knowledge. LRTK helps standardize and share inspection records through high-precision positioning and contributes to sustained organizational technical capability.

Growing Interest in Next-Generation Inspection Technologies Observed at SMART ENERGY WEEK

Interest in digital technology–based infrastructure inspection solutions is increasing year by year at industry trade shows. At SMART ENERGY WEEK, digital technologies for transmission network maintenance drew significant attention. For example, in smart grid exhibition booths, alongside drones, IoT sensors, and AI image analysis systems, inspection support tools using high-precision GNSS and AR-based work training simulators were showcased, attracting many visitors. For personnel at electric utilities and transmission and distribution companies, introducing digital technologies is an unavoidable theme to address aging infrastructure and labor shortages, and visitors are keenly seeking such solutions.

Presentations of advanced initiatives by innovative companies have also increased. Some major domestic utilities have reported pilot introductions of transmission line inspections using smartphones and high-precision GNSS, achieving significant reductions in working time compared to conventional methods. In mountainous patrols, carrying LRTK devices has digitized tasks that previously relied on paper maps and a compass, enabling even newcomers to complete inspection routes without getting lost. These success stories are being shared within the industry, accelerating broader adoption.

SMART ENERGY WEEK itself has been expanding DX-related exhibitions year by year. Where generation technologies and storage devices once dominated, the show now highlights themes such as smart maintenance and operational efficiency for infrastructure. Demonstrations include AR inspections using actual tower models and automatic inspection record systems that combine wearable cameras worn by workers with cloud AI—exhibits that give a strong sense that “next-generation infrastructure inspection” is imminent. These showcases are not mere prototypes; they are technologies ready for field implementation. The excitement at the exhibition reflects a rising shift in industry-wide awareness.

Conclusion: Toward Next-Generation Infrastructure Maintenance with Digital Inspections Using High-Precision Positioning

DX solutions that leverage high-precision location information are now moving into practical use to streamline and sophisticate power transmission infrastructure inspections. As shown by technologies and case studies presented at SMART ENERGY WEEK, systems that combine centimeter-level positioning (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) with smartphones and the cloud are solving on-site problems one by one. Improvements in location recording accuracy, elimination of individual dependence, and labor-saving in reporting are transitioning from proof-of-concept to operational use, enabling efficiency gains and safety improvements that were difficult with traditional methods.

Adopting simple surveying and recording tools such as LRTK can be a first step toward next-generation infrastructure maintenance. Because small devices and smartphones are all that’s required, implementation can start without special budgets or organizational changes and be driven by the field. The important point is not to treat introduced technology as a one-time initiative but to integrate it into daily operations, accumulate data, and use it continuously. Accurate field data stored in the cloud and used for analysis will support predictive maintenance and strategic renewal planning.

Power transmission infrastructure is a lifeline that supports society, and improving its maintenance and management is urgent. Bringing the new “weapon” of high-precision location information into the field is starting to change inspection and maintenance practices that have relied on manpower. By leveraging data and technology, next-generation infrastructure inspections can be performed more safely, more reliably, and more efficiently. Inspired by the future workplace glimpsed at SMART ENERGY WEEK, why not take a step forward and introduce DX into your company’s power transmission infrastructure maintenance?