FirstEnergy Using Helicopters and Infrared Technology for Vegetation Management Inspections
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is using helicopters equipped with infrared technology to conduct aerial inspections of transmission lines to ensure they remain clear of trees and vegetation. The inspections cover nearly 7,000 miles of lines in multiple states and help prevent power outages. The company's commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence is showcased through this proactive approach.
- FirstEnergy is utilizing cutting-edge technology to proactively inspect transmission lines for vegetation management, ensuring the safety and reliability of power delivery to customers.
- Inclement weather could potentially impact flight schedules and extend the timeline of the inspections, causing delays in vegetation management processes.
Technology helps identify trees or vegetation that could impact high-voltage power lines
The aerial vegetation management inspections are scheduled to take place from May to mid-September in
The helicopters will be equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) units, which FirstEnergy began using for vegetation management inspections in 2016. The units help prevent potential power outages by using a laser's infrared light to measure distances between transmission lines and vegetation, confirming that lines are clear or identifying potential issues that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. If any clearance concerns are identified by the helicopter patrols, ground crews will follow up to further inspect or address.
Shawn Standish, FirstEnergy's Director of Vegetation Management: "This cutting-edge technology helps to ensure that we are keeping our transmission lines clear of potential interference across our service territory, which is critical to protecting our system and maintaining the delivery of safe, reliable power to our customers."
The helicopter pilots will communicate with local airports when they are in their air space, and inspections in
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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