PG&E's Aerial System Drone Fleet Supports Safe, Reliable Energy System
PG&E highlights its drone fleet operations ahead of National Drone Safety Day (April 26), showcasing how autonomous aerial systems enhance their infrastructure inspection capabilities. In 2024, the company conducted over 250,000 drone inspections of distribution structures and 42,000 missions on transmission equipment across Northern and Central California.
The drones, operated by FAA-licensed pilots, enable close inspection of assets to identify potential risks and necessary repairs. The company emphasizes its commitment to customer privacy, stating that drone operations are strictly to infrastructure inspection, avoiding imagery of private property.
PG&E implements a comprehensive notification system for drone operations, alerting customers through their preferred communication method and Nextdoor. All flights are registered through PG&E's aviation dispatch center FlightCore to prevent conflicts with other air traffic.
PG&E mette in evidenza le sue operazioni con droni in vista della Giornata Nazionale della Sicurezza dei Droni (26 aprile), mostrando come i sistemi aerei autonomi migliorino le capacità di ispezione delle infrastrutture. Nel 2024, l'azienda ha effettuato oltre 250.000 ispezioni con droni su strutture di distribuzione e 42.000 missioni su apparecchiature di trasmissione in Nord e Centro California.
I droni, pilotati da piloti autorizzati dalla FAA, permettono un'ispezione ravvicinata dei beni per individuare rischi potenziali e riparazioni necessarie. L'azienda sottolinea il proprio impegno per la privacy dei clienti, affermando che le operazioni con droni sono strettamente limitate all'ispezione delle infrastrutture, evitando immagini di proprietà private.
PG&E adotta un sistema di notifiche completo per le operazioni con droni, avvisando i clienti tramite il loro metodo di comunicazione preferito e Nextdoor. Tutti i voli sono registrati tramite il centro di gestione del traffico aereo FlightCore di PG&E per evitare conflitti con altri traffici aerei.
PG&E destaca sus operaciones con drones antes del Día Nacional de la Seguridad de Drones (26 de abril), mostrando cómo los sistemas aéreos autónomos mejoran sus capacidades de inspección de infraestructuras. En 2024, la compañía realizó más de 250,000 inspecciones con drones en estructuras de distribución y 42,000 misiones en equipos de transmisión en el Norte y Centro de California.
Los drones, operados por pilotos con licencia de la FAA, permiten una inspección cercana de los activos para identificar riesgos potenciales y reparaciones necesarias. La empresa enfatiza su compromiso con la privacidad del cliente, declarando que las operaciones con drones se limitan estrictamente a la inspección de infraestructuras, evitando imágenes de propiedades privadas.
PG&E implementa un sistema integral de notificaciones para las operaciones con drones, alertando a los clientes mediante su método de comunicación preferido y Nextdoor. Todos los vuelos se registran a través del centro de despacho de aviación FlightCore de PG&E para evitar conflictos con otro tráfico aéreo.
PG&E는 전국 드론 안전의 날(4월 26일)을 앞두고 드론 운영을 강조하며 자율 비행 시스템이 인프라 점검 능력을 어떻게 향상시키는지 보여줍니다. 2024년에 회사는 북부 및 중부 캘리포니아에서 배전 구조물에 대해 25만 건 이상의 드론 점검과 송전 장비에 대해 4만 2천 건의 임무를 수행했습니다.
FAA 면허를 가진 조종사가 운용하는 드론은 자산을 가까이서 점검하여 잠재적 위험과 필요한 수리를 식별할 수 있게 합니다. 회사는 고객 프라이버시를 중요시하며, 드론 운영이 인프라 점검에만 엄격히 제한되어 개인 재산의 영상 촬영을 피한다고 강조합니다.
PG&E는 드론 운영에 대해 종합적인 알림 시스템을 도입하여 고객에게 선호하는 소통 방식과 Nextdoor를 통해 알립니다. 모든 비행은 PG&E의 항공 디스패치 센터 FlightCore를 통해 등록되어 다른 항공 교통과의 충돌을 방지합니다.
PG&E met en avant ses opérations de flotte de drones à l'approche de la Journée Nationale de la Sécurité des Drones (26 avril), illustrant comment les systèmes aériens autonomes améliorent leurs capacités d'inspection des infrastructures. En 2024, l'entreprise a réalisé plus de 250 000 inspections par drone sur des structures de distribution et 42 000 missions sur des équipements de transmission dans le nord et le centre de la Californie.
Les drones, pilotés par des pilotes agréés par la FAA, permettent une inspection rapprochée des actifs afin d'identifier les risques potentiels et les réparations nécessaires. L'entreprise souligne son engagement envers la confidentialité des clients, précisant que les opérations de drones sont strictement limitées à l'inspection des infrastructures, évitant ainsi toute capture d'images de propriétés privées.
PG&E met en place un système complet de notifications pour les opérations de drones, alertant les clients via leur méthode de communication préférée ainsi que sur Nextdoor. Tous les vols sont enregistrés via le centre de gestion du trafic aérien FlightCore de PG&E afin d'éviter tout conflit avec d'autres trafics aériens.
PG&E hebt seine Drohnenflottenoperationen im Vorfeld des Nationalen Drohnensicherheitstags (26. April) hervor und zeigt, wie autonome Luftfahrtsysteme ihre Fähigkeiten zur Infrastrukturinspektion verbessern. Im Jahr 2024 führte das Unternehmen über 250.000 Drohneninspektionen an Verteilungsstrukturen und 42.000 Einsätze an Übertragungsausrüstung in Nord- und Zentral-Kalifornien durch.
Die Drohnen, betrieben von FAA-lizenzierten Piloten, ermöglichen eine genaue Inspektion der Anlagen, um potenzielle Risiken und notwendige Reparaturen zu erkennen. Das Unternehmen betont sein Engagement für den Datenschutz der Kunden und erklärt, dass Drohnenoperationen strikt auf die Infrastrukturinspektion beschränkt sind und Aufnahmen von Privatgrundstücken vermieden werden.
PG&E setzt ein umfassendes Benachrichtigungssystem für Drohnenoperationen ein, das Kunden über ihre bevorzugte Kommunikationsmethode und Nextdoor informiert. Alle Flüge werden über das Luftfahrt-Dispositionszentrum FlightCore von PG&E registriert, um Konflikte mit anderem Luftverkehr zu vermeiden.
- Implementation of advanced drone technology for infrastructure inspection improves operational efficiency
- Comprehensive inspection coverage with 250,000+ distribution structure inspections completed
- Early risk identification capability enables proactive maintenance, potentially reducing repair costs
- Enhanced safety through remote inspection of hard-to-reach areas
- None.
Autonomous aerial systems or "drones" are an essential part of PG&E's aerial fleet, and support the safe, reliable delivery of electric and gas service to millions of Californians. Drones enable PG&E to inspect assets closely, allowing crews to identify potential risks and when necessary, make repairs to areas of concern or damage. PG&E drones are operated by FAA licensed pilots.
"Drones have revolutionized multiple industries. Their ability to swiftly navigate and capture high-resolution, zoomable images allows our inspectors to assess system health with unparalleled precision — right down to the threads on a bolt," said PG&E Electric System Inspections Vice President Jason Regan. "With drones, our teams can safely explore previously inaccessible areas and document critical information that was once out of reach from traditional ground-based approaches. By identifying risks and damage early, we can proactively make repairs before failures occur. Leveraging drones to inspect our electric, gas, and hydro assets from a fresh perspective is contributing to a safer
Addressing privacy concerns
PG&E recognizes and respects the privacy of every customer and the hometowns it serves. PG&E's drones are operated solely for the purposes of inspecting gas, electric and some hydropower infrastructure. Operators capture images limited only to data and equipment, and intentionally avoid imagery of customers and private property.
Increased seasonal operation
PG&E leverages opportunities during temperate weather to conduct aerial system inspection flights. Customers may see PG&E operated drones around Northern and
2024 by the numbers:
- PG&E pilots and contractors successfully and safely flew more than 250,000 distribution structures on distribution equipment – the wooden poles you might see you in your neighborhood.
- On transmission equipment – the larger metal structures – PG&E pilots and contractors successfully and safely flew 42,000 missions.
Interacting with PG&E pilots and PG&E contractors:
- How to find a pilot: If you see a drone flying near electric equipment, look around - there will be a pilot within visual line of sight of that drone.
- Look for Identifying Gear: A PG&E pilot or contractor will be wearing a hard hat, high-visibility safety vest and have a badge identifying them as a PG&E pilot or contractor on their vest.
- Watch and wait: Our pilots and contractors are happy to discuss what they are doing and looking at with you, but please wait to approach them until the drone has landed safely.
Notifications and safety:
- Before PG&E flies drones to inspect our assets in your zip code, you will be notified by the method you selected in your bill – phone, text or email. We will also post notifications on Nextdoor targeted at your zip code.
- PG&E pilots and contractors have flight plans registered through PG&E's aviation dispatch center FlightCore to assure that the drone is not conflicting with any other PG&E air traffic in the area.
- Every PG&E pilot and contractor are FAA licensed commercial pilots and follow all FAA Part 107 regulations. PG&E has additional safety protocols that our pilots follow to ensure we are safely operating around our infrastructure.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
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