Essential Energy crews will use drones to inspect electricity infrastructure across Inverell and surrounding areas in coming months, helping identify potential issues quicker and more safely.
The work may include using drones in some urban areas where poles, powerlines or other infrastructure need to be inspected.
Essential Energy is increasing the use of drone technology as part of an ongoing initiative to improve the way the electricity network is managed and maintained across regional, rural and remote New South Wales and parts of Southern Queensland. Utilising new drone technology allows field crews to inspect poles, powerlines and other network infrastructure in a safer, more targeted way.
These inspections are part of Essential Energy’s broader asset management program, helping crews identify and manage potential defects more efficiently, safely and with minimal disruption to the community.
Jayson Hennessy, Asset Inspection Manager at Essential Energy explains that drones have been transformative to how the network is managed and maintained.
“Using drone technology as part of our asset inspections reduces the need for crews to climb assets or access difficult terrain, reducing risk but also helping us to respond faster to issues that could impact network reliability or safety” says Jayson.
Essential Energy first trialled drones in 2016 and now operates a fleet of over 100 drones. Drones have been a game changer across many different inspection activities, including identifying potential risks and defects on the network, surveying vegetation in remote areas to inspecting communication towers and supporting emergency response after bushfires and floods.
All drone operations are conducted under a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licence and follow strict safety and privacy protocols. The operations are focused solely on inspecting Essential Energy’s infrastructure and do not involve surveillance or the collection of personal data.
To learn more about drone inspections and how innovation is helping build a safer, more resilient electricity network, visit essentialenergy.com.au/drones
Media Release: Essential Energy
