Kaua'i Island Cooperative

This article has been replicated from the original article published in Currents, the magazine of Kaua'i Island Cooperative, Hawaii. Thanks to the team for sharing.

The health of utility poles is an important factor in energy resiliency. KIUC recently adopted a new technology called THOR Poletest™, which was recommended by wildfire mitigation consultants.

THOR Poletest™ was first invented by Groundline Engineering founder Ian Flatley in 2006. Ian was inspired by a similar device that used seismic waves to test the integrity of concrete. The device headquarters and manufacturing are based in New Zealand. THOR Poletest™ provides data on utility pole health using a special hammer connected to a geoscope with gyroscopic sensors and a sensor hub. The sensor hub is Bluetooth-enabled and quickly transmits data to the THOR Poletest™ app and interactive portal, which provide geospatial visualization and data insights on the pole’s condition.

KIUC has approximately 17,000 wood poles across the island. Previously, KIUC tested approximately 2,000 poles a year, completing a full round of pole testing about every eight to nine years. The typical pole should have a 30-year lifespan.

THOR in action for poletesting

With the use of THOR Poletest™, pole testing is more accurate, which leads to cost savings. The previously used testing methods of sounding or drilling have a lower accuracy rate, which can lead to poles being replaced unnecessarily. THOR Poletest™ also saves time on labor, allowing the tester to assess each pole in less than a minute.

“KIUC has found the previous practice of drilling to assess pole strength and serviceability introduces an additional risk of rot and strength degradation at the evaluated drill holes near the base of the pole,”

Transmission and Distribution Manager John Cox says.

“Thor’s Poletest is a one-minute nondestructive test that can be repeated over typical inspection cycles with zero risk of shortening the serviceable life of the pole.”