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event underscores the pressing need to reevaluate and upgrade utility inspection standards, which currently rely on outdated methods and technologies. Implementing modern inspection technologies can significantly enhance the resilience of utility infrastructure, preparing it better against future disasters.
The inadequacy of current utility inspection standards
The traditional siloed nature of utility systems and processes is a significant disadvantage in modern emergency response workflows. Current inspection standards often involve manual processes that are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error. These inspections are typically isolated and lack integration with broader operational workflows, which can lead to inefficient and delayed responses during emergencies.
Traditional inspection methods usually involve periodic checks by field personnel using basic tools and visual assessments. This approach, while valuable, has significant limitations:
- Limited coverage: Manual inspections can only cover a fraction of assets at any given time, leaving many potential issues undetected.
- Inconsistent data: Human error and subjective assessments can result in inconsistent data, affecting the reliability of maintenance decisions.
- Delayed responses: The time lag between inspections and data processing can delay critical maintenance actions, increasing the risk of asset failure during extreme weather events.
Modern inspection technologies: A game-changer
Modern inspection technologies, such as drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, advanced data analytics, and machine learning, offer a transformative solution to current challenges. These technologies enable utilities to perform comprehensive, real-time inspections of their entire asset base, providing a level of detail and accuracy that is unattainable with traditional methods.
Drone inspections: Drones can quickly cover large areas and hard-to-reach places, capturing high-resolution images and videos of infrastructure. This technology allows for detailed inspections of transmission lines, substations, and other critical assets without physical presence, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Data analytics and machine learning: The vast amount of data collected by drones can be analyzed using advanced algorithms to identify patterns and predict potential issues before they become critical. Machine learning models can learn from historical data and continuously improve their accuracy in detecting anomalies and forecasting maintenance needs.Case Study: Thread’s approach to utility inspections
Thread, a provider of utility inspection technologies, has partnered with several utilities to enhance their asset management practices through its innovative platform. The company’s approach enables utilities to integrate historical imagery and modernized collection methodologies using cameras, helicopters, tablets, mobile applications, and drones.
One of Thread’s notable partnerships is with Xcel Energy, which has implemented Thread’s platform to transform the inspection processes for its renewable energy line of business, including a fleet of wind turbines, grid-scale solar expansion, and transmission and distribution assets. By integrating various inspection methods with Thread’s analytics platform, Xcel Utility has achieved:
- Comprehensive coverage: The ability to inspect all assets regularly to ensure no potential issues are overlooked.
- Enhanced data accuracy: Consistent and objective data collection reduces human error and improves the reliability of maintenance decisions.
- Proactive maintenance: Predictive analytics can identify potential failures before they occur, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the risk of catastrophic outages.
Transforming the emergency response workflow
Integrating inspection data with utility management systems provides a holistic view of asset health, enabling more informed decision-making and transforming the emergency response workflow. This integration supports several critical functions:
- Real-time monitoring: Continuous data feeds from drones and sensors provide real-time insights into asset conditions, allowing for immediate responses to emerging issues.
- Streamlined data movement: Automated workflows ensure that data is efficiently moved from the point of collection to review, inspection, and then into an enduring asset health score, driving operational efficiency.
- Operational efficiency: By eliminating silos and integrating inspection data with broader operational systems, utilities can respond more quickly and effectively to emergencies to minimize downtime and restore services faster.
Challenges and future directions
Despite the clear benefits, adopting modern inspection technologies comes with challenges. These include the initial investment in technology, the need for skilled personnel to operate and maintain the systems, and the integration of new data streams with existing infrastructure.
However, the long-term benefits far outweigh these challenges. As technology advances, the costs of drones, sensors, and data analytics are decreasing, making them more accessible to a wider range of utilities. Additionally, ongoing improvements in machine learning algorithms will enhance the accuracy and reliability of predictive maintenance models.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our current utility infrastructure. However, it also highlights an opportunity to leverage modern inspection technologies to build a more resilient and efficient utility network. By embracing innovations such as drone inspections and advanced analytics, utilities can transform their operations to ensure they are better prepared to withstand future disasters and provide reliable service to their customers.
Thread’s partnerships and proven track record demonstrate the tangible benefits of this approach, offering a roadmap for other utilities looking to enhance their inspection and maintenance practices. The utility sector can significantly improve operational efficiency, cost savings, and overall asset reliability by moving away from outdated, siloed methods and embracing modern technologies.
