Dropping the Danger in Power Line Inspections

Drones are helping model and map without putting lives at risk

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative 

Drone power line inspections check electrical grids for potential hazards and routine maintenance. Most states require inspections every 1-2 years and a detailed inspection every 3-5 years. 

To perform the inspection, drones fly over large stretches of transmission lines to create 3D models and maps for detailed analysis and recordkeeping. The data is compiled into a report for immediate repairs or simply as a baseline for future inspections to go by.

Benefits of Drone Power Line Inspections

Improved Safety

With drones, there’s no need for workers to climb tall towers and get near high-voltage lines. Drones can easily avoid getting too close to towers and wires while still gathering tons of detailed data. This puts workers out of harm’s way and lets them analyze and diagnose the drone data from the ground.

Faster and More Frequent Inspections

Drones inspect power lines faster. With an average speed of 40 MPH (65 km/h), drones can cover large stretches of power lines in a short amount of time. Of course, when a survey does reveal areas of concern, a drone can also slow down to take a closer look by zooming in with its cameras.

Lower Costs

Traditional inspections require hiring a lot of surveyors or paying for helicopters. Either way is expensive. The man-hours add up and helicopters are not cheap. On average, helicopter inspections cost over $4,000 per day. Drone inspections significantly cut down on inspection costs because they are faster and more inexpensive. With drones, you can lower your costs by 30-50%. 

Comprehensive Inspections

Drones can identify a wide range of defects and faults for a comprehensive inspection. With their HD cameras and thermal sensors, they can distinguish the smallest of anomalies. Here are just some of the things drones can detect while flying:

• Overheating wires and insulators
• Wire joints and breaks
• Encroaching vegetation
• Missing bolts and screws
• Rust and cracks
• Tower malfunctions
• Unstable concrete bases
• Weather damage
• And even birds nests 

High Level of Accuracy

Drone inspection data is highly accurate. With the help of advanced sensors, drones capture a wealth of data that regular inspection crews simply can’t. And the more inspection data you have, the more reliable the inspection. 

About Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative 

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative is a private, non-profit electric cooperative, which supplies electricity to Montana member/owners in Yellowstone, Stillwater, Carbon, Big Horn, Musselshell, & Treasure Counties. Electric cooperatives, such as YVEC, are locally & equally owned by all the members they serve. Members pay the lowest possible electric rates because profit margins are not added to their monthly electric bill. Any margins at year-end are allocated back to the members in the form of capital credits. Today, YVEC has a total of 20 distribution substations, two transmission substations & over 2,600 miles of line serving almost 22,000 meters.

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