Georgia Power unleashes drones to help improve grid reliability

As part of its ongoing focus to bolster reliability, Georgia Power is now deploying unmanned aerial systems, a.k.a. drones, to inspect its almost 12,000 miles of transmission power lines across the state that 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.”

Forehand pointed out that the drones reduce the amount of time to inspect transmission lines by 40 percent on average, and deliver substantial cost savings of 60 percent versus traditional methods.

Historically, Georgia Power has used specialized bucket trucks and helicopter flights to reach and inspect transmission lines, which on average are roughly 80 to 100 miles long and 100 feet tall, with some reaching as high as 350 feet.

Comparatively, drone pilots on average can inspect 14 miles of transmission lines per day. Georgia Power plans to review more than 15,000 structures in transmission corridors this year.

“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.”

The inspection method is also a 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, the utility said.

Drone pilots inspect for damage and also ensure the connections on structures are intact, minimizing 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, said the company.

“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 cases, and ultimately get repairs done more quickly and efficiently than ever before,” Howell said.

At the same time, using drones also is helping Georgia Power save money on fuel, maintenance, and labor costs, the company said.

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