Advanced LiDAR Technology for Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship

One of TNB's current challenges involves the selection of new transmission line routes through forest reserves that harbor endangered species and wildlife habitats, requiring coordination with the Malaysian Forestry Department and Department of Wildlife. Compliance with strict guidelines from these authorities is crucial to avoid delays and additional costs associated with rerouting the Right-of-Way (ROW) due to encounters with endangered species during initial surveys.

Recognizing the potential of UAVs equipped with LiDAR technology in surveying, TNB conducted a Proof-of-Concept (POC) using RIEGL RiCOPTER with VUX-1LR. They sought a solution that was not only survey-grade but also rapid, practical, and capable of long-range scanning and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This pursuit led them to adopt the RIEGL VUX-120.

Under the THyIS (Tree Hyperspectral Identification System) projects, TNB integrated the RIEGL VUX-120 into their unmanned helicopter, a Velos Rotors V3, enabling daily operations that consistently deliver data meeting their stringent operational and project-specific requirements.

The current project proposal involves further research and development aimed at implementing an automated detection system for identifying endangered tree species using remote sensing techniques along proposed transmission line routes. TNB has acquired a fully calibrated RIEGL UAV system featuring the RIEGL VUX-120 NFB (Nadir-Forward-Backward) scanner. This specialized configuration facilitates high-altitude scans of power lines and corridor scanning projects, ensuring comprehensive data collection and adherence to environmental regulations.

This video gives an insight into the project and shows the possibilities offered by the use of RIEGL Ultimate LiDAR technology in the forestry sector.

TNB's commitment to leveraging advanced LiDAR technology underscores their dedication to sustainable development and environmental stewardship in their operational initiatives. As they continue to integrate cutting-edge solutions, TNB remains at the forefront of utility innovation in the region, poised to address complex challenges with precision and efficiency.

On this journey, TNB is reliably supported by RIEGL’s distribution partner for Malaysia, GPS Lands Malaysia. Marcos Garcia, Business Development Manager of RIEGL Asia Pacific Ltd, “We appreciate GPS Lands Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to the development of LiDAR technology in the region. Together with TNB and Velos Rotors, they have been able to deliver one of the most advanced LiDAR UAV solutions in the market. Our gratitude goes to CS Lim and his team for all the support."

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