A power company in Hong Kong has collaborated with scientists to develop an innovative model that can predict the growth rate of trees near overhead cables. The aim is to prevent these trees from causing disruptions to the electricity supply in certain areas of Hong Kong, such as the New Territories, Lantau Island, and parts of Kowloon.
This monitoring system was implemented last April, and the vegetation management team of CLP Power has already carried out 80,000 pruning works based on the alerts issued by the system over the past year.
According to Michael Lau Ho-yin, a north region director at CLP Power, “The system’s most significant feature is its ability to predict tree growth and identify potential risks to nearby overhead cables.”
Director Lau explained that in the past, it was challenging for their team to accurately determine the growth of trees near the overhead cables. However, with the introduction of this new monitoring system, they can now efficiently identify trees that pose potential risks.
This system is expected to save CLP Power more than HK$1.5 million (US$191,000) in annual operating costs by allocating resources and labor more effectively.
To create a thorough database, the power company utilized geographic information system (GIS) technology. This database contains information about over 170,000 trees, including their species, age, and pruning history.
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Over 200 species, including kapok, camphor wood, bauhinia, and Chinese banyan trees, have been identified along the power grids in the specified areas, accounting for approximately half of all tree species documented in Hong Kong.
Liu Wai-lung, a senior technical supervisor in the vegetation management team, noted that the system has significantly improved work efficiency as they can now prioritize pruning work based on the risk to the overhead cables. He added, “It’s easier for us to identify the location of the tree because the system provides GPS position, cable location, and name.”
Furthermore, Director Lau mentioned that the model has also led to a 70% reduction in paper consumption since data obtained on-site can now be directly added to the system.
Countries like Britain, the United States, and Canada have been using similar technology for over a decade to monitor tree growth and collect spatial data.
According to Jim Chi-yung, a research chair professor of geography and environmental science at the Education University of Hong Kong, who co-led the project, this is the first time such a system has been utilized in Hong Kong, and its predictive capabilities are advanced and detailed.
The project initially began in 2019 with the goal of monitoring the growth rate of trees near CLP Power’s overhead cables in specific areas.
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The following year, the research team conducted experiments to analyze the impact of weather conditions, temperature, sunlight, and rainfall on pruned trees. The results showed that higher sun intensity, temperature, and rainfall led to faster development of epicormic shoots on pruned trees. These shoots can interfere with the overhead power lines, resulting in voltage instability.
Jim highlighted that this system enables their team to carry out pruning work in a more scientific, accurate, and objective manner, moving away from relying solely on past training and experience.
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Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
