Use of "drones" to inspect transmission lines
part of company's commitment to reliability for customers
Demo B-roll link included within
ATLANTA, Aug. 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power continues to focus
on improving reliability and service for customers by making
investments in the power grid and using advanced technology to
prevent or restore power outages. The company is now deploying
unmanned aerial systems, or drones, to inspect transmission power
lines, helping ensure the safety and reliability of these main
lines more efficiently and with greater accuracy than ever before.
This innovative approach not only enhances operational efficiency,
reducing the amount of time to inspect transmission lines by 40% on
average, but also delivers substantial cost savings of 60% versus
traditional methods.
"Georgia Power owns and operates almost 12,000 miles of
transmission lines throughout the state, which provide power to
millions of homes and businesses – inspecting and maintaining these
lines is a crucial part of what we do every day," said Fran Forehand, senior vice president of
Transmission for Georgia Power. "We are always looking to improve
grid resiliency and operational efficiencies, which is why we
implemented transmission line drone inspections to improve
efficiency and safety for our teams, provide better data and reduce
costs for our customers."
Historically, Georgia Power has used specialized bucket trucks
and helicopter flights to reach and inspect transmission lines
which are, on average, 80 to 100 miles long and 100 feet
tall, with some reaching as high as 350 feet. By using drones,
the company is saving significant fuel, maintenance and labor costs
and, on average, drone pilots can inspect 14 miles of transmission
lines per day. Georgia Power plans to review more than 15,000
structures in transmission corridors this year alone.
Georgia Power drone pilots work safely, quietly and swiftly
within transmission corridors, capturing images of transmission
lines and equipment. The inspection method is an even safer
way to assess these high-voltage lines, while gathering
high-quality, detailed photos and videos. The images are so precise
they allow line inspectors to zoom in on equipment and catch any
irregularities before they can become a problem.
Transmission structures are engineered to withstand harsh
environmental conditions, but damage does occur from sources such
as lightning strikes, which is actually the primary cause of damage
to transmission lines. Drone pilots inspect for damage and also
ensure the connections on structures are intact, which minimizes
the impact of lightning strikes on transmission equipment. Other
anomalies on the inspection list for main power lines include
damage from vegetation and debris, erosion from the elements, and
bird excrement, which can be highly acidic.
All drone assessments are completed by licensed drone pilots and
comply with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and
regulations. Drone pilots are often lineworkers who have received
specialized training.
"As a former lineworker who has spent countless hours in bucket
trucks inspecting transmission lines, the use of drones is a
gamechanger," said Nick Howell, a
certified drone operator for Georgia Power. "I'm glad our company
has made the investment in the technology, and in our people. Not
only am I able to safely inspect transmission lines from the
ground, but I'm able to better collect accurate data, share it with
my team that may be miles away in some case, and ultimately get
repairs done more quickly and efficiently than ever before."
In addition to utilizing advanced technology such as drones,
Georgia Power's efforts to improve reliability and add grid
resiliency in recent years includes rebuilding transmission lines
and dozens of substations across Georgia for safe and reliable power delivery
to neighborhoods; installing smart technology, which lessens the
number of power outages and in some cases avoids outages
altogether; upgrading or relocating hundreds of miles of power
lines underground, where it made the most impact; and improving
tens of thousands of power poles.
For more information on Georgia Power's reliability work, please
visit GeorgiaPower.com/Reliability.
Editor's note:
Media can download b-roll of Georgia Power transmission line
drone inspections and a company regional executive who explains
this work: https://bcove.video/3S6hLyu
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern
Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value,
Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones
of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four
of Georgia's 159 counties.
Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable
energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation
mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as
renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power
focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every
day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry
leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and
Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
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SOURCE Georgia Power