Applications of Low‑Power and High‑Precision Intranet RTK Positioning in Power Grid Security

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jes.202502302

Author(s)

Xiangchen Kong, Xu Zhou, Bin Chen*, Junjie Jiang, Cong Kuang, Yanan Cheng

Affiliation(s)

State Grid Shangqiu Power Supply Company, Shangqiu, Henan, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Modern power grids face escalating security challenges from climate disruptions and cyber threats, necessitating centimeter-accurate asset monitoring constrained by energy autonomy and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Conventional Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning systems prove inadequate due to excessive power consumption (>2.5 W) and reliance on public correction networks vulnerable to cyberattacks. This research presents a novel low-power intranet RTK framework integrating three critical innovations: (1) ultra-efficient multi-band GNSS System-on-Chip technology reducing power consumption to 97 mW at 1 Hz operation; (2) private LoRaWAN/SDH correction networks eliminating internet dependencies while maintaining <50 ms latency; and (3) edge-based anomaly detection enabling localized diagnostics without continuous data transmission. Validation across transmission monitoring, fault location, and autonomous inspection applications demonstrates horizontal positioning accuracy of 1-2 cm with 60% reduction in operational costs. Field implementations confirm transformative impacts: Guangdong grid trials achieved 83% fault localization within 20 meters (vs. 500+ m conventional methods), Mongolian permafrost sites detected 11 mm/year tower displacements using 2.4 Wh/day solar harvesting, and California utilities reduced wildfire ignition risk by 91% through precision vegetation management. The architecture’s resilience was verified during 72-hour simulated GNSS outages with <35 ns timing error using chip-scale atomic clock holdover. This integrated approach establishes a new paradigm for secure, energy-autonomous grid geolocation capable of meeting 21st-century reliability demands under climate stress.

Keywords

Low-Power RTK; Grid Security; Intranet Positioning; GNSS Resilience; Fault Location; Climate Adaptation

References

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