Utility Companies Move Toward Digitalization

From UCANR

Utility companies spend a lot of time and money on vegetation management. And even with big investments, it’s a constant battle. 

Digitalization is helping energy companies prioritize maintenance, conduct more efficient inspections, improve worker safety, and more. 

The old method of maintenance—still used by many companies—is manual, tedious, and often paper based. 

The new method uses technology, digital processes, and automation to make the most of new tools available to the industry. 

For example, Hydro One, a major Canadian utility company, recently performed a large-scale digitalization project that brought more than $16 million in savings realized through improved fieldwork and administrative efficiencies. 

San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) relies on GIS databases to map trees along their power lines and keep geospatial information up to date. The system tracks tree species, growth rates, weather, and more to help plan vegetation management priority. 

Many companies have used helicopters and are scaling to use drones for inspection and maintenance, as well. Experts say satellite data is the next piece of the puzzle, combining it with AI to analyze areas of risk. 

As more utility companies move toward digitalization, we’re likely to see helicopters, drones, and satellites working together to help in vegetation management. Each mode has its benefits—satellites cover large areas while helicopters and drones can get in closer. Which means the sky is not the limit for utility technology on the front lines.