GridOS^® Visual Intelligence

Utility vegetation management refers to the process of eliminating vegetation that poses a risk of damaging power grid assets. The most common examples of this include removing branches and dead and/or structurally unstable trees that are growing too close to power lines. Utility vegetation management is especially important for areas frequently struck by severe weather events, like hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, and wildfires.

Utility vegetation management can be expensive and inefficient if not performed correctly, so applying AI/ML-powered technology is critical. GridOS Visual Intelligence platform analyzes a variety of satellite, LiDAR, and conventional imagery and overlays them with network maps to identify the precise areas where vegetation must be trimmed to eliminate the risk of damage. Trimming crews can use this information to take fast and accurate corrective actions, whether pruning or removing it completely.

Satellite and LIDAR imagery work best for different scenarios. Satellite imagery is useful for identifying growth patterns and problem areas on a wide scale, or in areas not easily accessible by drones or workers. However, more-detailed imagery on specific vegetation is best obtained via LiDAR. Visual Intelligence software can accommodate either type of imagery (or a combination of both!) for any given use case.

While it's difficult to predict exactly where a wildfire will ignite next, electric utilities can minimize significant disruptions and damages by keeping an eye on high-risk locations, in particular (1) areas of overgrown and/or dead vegetation, and (2) areas where wildfires have occurred in the past. A great way to identify these high-risk locations is by leveraging GridOS Visual Intelligence platform. Visual Intelligence identifies areas of overgrown and dead vegetation that could ignite and cause damage to power assets, enabling the utility to dispatch trimming crews to the precise high-risk areas. In addition, utilities can analyze data from the United States Geological Survey or other entities to identify historical wildfire burn patterns and determine if any of their crucial assets are in harm's way.

Visual Intelligence’s AI/ML-powered image analysis is useful for more than just utility vegetation management! Scan imagery can also reveal damage or deterioration of power assets, such as corrosion on transformers or transmission towers, leaning power poles, and more. This enables proactive maintenance to correct any issues before they can cause significant power grid disruptions, or worse, complete failures.