In the latest issue of T&D World, Peter Stoltman, senior manager of Wildfire Prevention for Liberty Utilities (CalPeco Electric) LLC, details how lidar analytics have transformed the utility’s vegetation mangement program.
Facing high costs and access challenges in the Sierra Nevada, Liberty Utilities adopted lidar technology to efficiently monitor vegetation near power lines. The program has increased inspection scope, lowered operational costs, and provided detailed data for targeted risk mitigation, strengthening wildfire prevention measures.
Key Highlights
- Liberty Utilities transitioned from slow, ground-based inspections to aerial lidar surveys, significantly increasing inspection coverage and precision.
- Lidar technology reduced inspection costs from nearly $2,000 to under $800 per mile, especially beneficial in rugged, high-cost terrains like California’s Sierra Nevada.
- The program allows for rapid identification of encroachments and hazard trees, enabling quicker risk mitigation and improved wildfire prevention efforts.
- Integration of satellite tree health data helps prioritize stressed or dying trees, further reducing wildfire risk and enhancing vegetation management strategies.
- Using high-accuracy lidar data, Liberty can demonstrate compliance and transparency to regulators and customers, fostering trust and accountability.
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