Over the past few months, Owen Electric Cooperative has been preparing to implement the use of drone technology to improve our operations processes, including that of power line inspection and in some cases, determining the cause of power outages.
Every business day, a portion of Owen Electric’s distribution system is inspected. With more than 4,600 miles of power lines, daily inspection is necessary to keep up with our two-year cycle. Currently, our employees must walk or use an ATV to complete inspections, during which damaged poles, conductors, hardware and transformers are recorded and prioritized for repair. Incorporating drones in this process expedites inspections while giving cooperative personnel a better visual perspective on electric infrastructure.
In addition to assisting in our daily operations, we envision the use of a drone for helping diagnose the causes of power outages. Owen Electric’s service territory spans a diverse terrain—from suburban to foothills and river crossings. Some of these more rural areas pose a challenge for crews and their vehicles to access. The drone will be able to provide a quicker assessment of damage in these instances.
In order to safely and responsibly operate the drones, Owen Electric personnel have acquired training and received Federal Aviation Administration certifications for piloting these vehicles. The drones are equipped with technology that includes infrared cameras and a safety system which prevents them from crashing into powerline infrastructure or other obstacles in the area.
As Owen Electric begins to deploy these industrial-grade drones, please do not be alarmed if you see them flying near your home or business. More than likely, you’ll see an Owen Electric vehicle and employee nearby, piloting the drone and taking great care to respect your property and privacy. Rest assured, our employees are trained and certified to use these aerial vehicles only to inspect the power system, improve reliability, and to serve you better.