Lessons From Hurricane Beryl and the Promise of Modern Utility Inspections
The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has highlighted the vulnerability of utility infrastructure to natural disasters. In Houston, the collapse of ten transmission lines disrupted power for 2.8 million customers, with nearly 150,000 left without power for an extended period.
This event underscores the pressing need to reevaluate and upgrade utility inspection standards, which currently rely on outdated methods and technologies.…
Thread Adds Longtime Utility Executive Kevin Moug to Its Board of Directors
[Grand Forks, North Dakota] Thread, the leader in digital-first asset inspection catering to the energy and utility sectors, is excited to announce the appointment of Kevin Moug to its Board of Directors. Kevin brings an impressive 42 years of experience in public accounting, utilities, and manufacturing, and recently retired as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR).…
Thread Announces Partnership with Gresco Technology Solutions
[Grand Forks, North Dakota] Thread is excited to announce our new partnership with Gresco Technology Solutions (GTS). This partnership combines Thread’s innovative software with Gresco’s expertise in unmanned solutions, providing customers with:
- Rapid Flight Planning: Simplifying mission planning and execution, reducing manual errors, and improving efficiency.
- Automated Data Management: Imagery is automatically uploaded into UNITI Workspace without the need to manage SD cards, hard drives, or local device storage.
How Automated Image Management Can Assist Electric Utility Inspections
Electric utilities are facing increased pressure from regulators to reduce operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. However, utility assets are only getting older and will have to be inspected more frequently in the coming years to prevent interruptions in service caused by hardware failure.
To support maintenance activities, utilities must collect and track inspection data through the full asset lifecycle to proactively repair defects and damages before they become an issue.…
Potential for Data Centers to Overload Current Power Utilities
The rapid expansion of data centers presents a significant challenge to existing power utilities. Data centers, with their insatiable and consistent demand for power, require robust and reliable electricity supply 24/7.…
Thread and Isight Drone Services Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Drone Services in the Energy Sector
[Grand Forks, North Dakota] — [April 18, 2024] — In a landmark move for the energy industry, Thread, a pioneer in energy sector software solutions, and Isight, a nationally recognized drone services provider, are proud to announce a strategic partnership that is set to enhance operational efficiencies across multiple energy verticals including solar, power lines, cell towers, and oil.…
Industrial Drones and Comprehensive Data Analysis Pave the Way for Safer Inspections in Utility Management
In the rapidly evolving world of industrial drones, collaborations between industry leaders likeExertis Almo and DJI are setting new standards in efficiency, safety, and innovation. While Exertis Almo is recognized for its strategic move to cater to sophisticated surveillance and security solutions through expanding its product offerings, DJI has been pushing the envelope with its Mavic 3 Enterprise Series. …
Josh Riedy Builds Thread To Modernize The Power Grid
Few people understand the challenges America faces in modernizing an outdated power grid like Josh Riedy, the co-founder and CEO of Thread, an asset management platform for the power and utility industries.
Riedy’s grandfather founded an electric utility cooperative in the sparsely populated, unforgiving terrain and weather of North Dakota where an ice storm could take out 95% of the utility polls in a service region, leaving people without power for weeks and sometimes longer.…
The POWER Interview: Diving Into Data With Autonomous Inspection of Utility Assets
Companies offering the ability to collect data for use by electric utilities are finding their services in demand as the power generation sector embraces digitization.
It’s an industry that promotes innovation, as utilities need to track the real-time performance of thermal and renewable energy generation assets, and gain more insight about how their equipment is operating across their service territory.…
Prepare or Face ‘The Perfect Storm for Disruption’
Nevelyn Black | Energy Central
Extreme weather, integrating renewable energy sources and keeping up with regulations and technology is demanding more from utilities. According to industry experts, utilities will have to take a data-driven approach. Data collection started with smart meters but in recent years more avenues have opened to make better use of that data…
