Technology helps identify trees or
vegetation that could impact high-voltage power lines
AKRON,
Ohio, May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To keep power
flowing safely and reliably, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is
conducting proactive aerial inspections of nearly 7,000 miles of
transmission lines in its service territory using helicopters
equipped with infrared technology. This work helps ensure that
high-voltage power lines and equipment remain clear of trees and
vegetation.
The aerial vegetation management inspections are scheduled to
take place from May to mid-September in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Virginia,
Maryland, New Jersey and New
York. The helicopters will fly approximately 300 to 400 feet
above the transmission lines at speeds between 25 and 35 miles per
hour.
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 New Jersey will not take place prior to
July 29 due to regulations around
raptor nesting. Inclement weather could impact flight schedules and
extend the timeline of the inspections.
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 Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and
on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.