Dive Brief:
- The Federal Aviation Administration will allow San Diego Gas & Electric to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — drones — to conduct aerial inspections of its electric and gas facilities, including emergency response damage assessments throughout its service territory.
- Previously SDG&E had been authorized to begin a pilot program using the drones, but this has been expanded to regular use.
- Last month Commonwealth Edison received approval to use the unmanned aircraft, making it the first utility to receive authorization to operate drones in the field.
Dive Insight:
Federal aviation inspectors have authorized SDG&E to move its drone research into the field, making the second utility to receive authorization to regularly pilot unmanned aircraft.
Measuring 16 inches in diameter and weighing less than a pound, the devices use a camera to inspect utility equipment and relay live images back to the controller.
“The utility industry is rapidly changing and this new FAA approval is another milestone that will improve the way SDG&E conducts its operations,” said John Sowers, SDG&E’s vice president of electric distribution operations. “The new UAS technology will enable us to improve response times to emergency situations, inspect our electric and gas facilities in remote areas that are otherwise difficult to access, reduce the use of manned helicopters, enhance overall employee and public safety, and locate the cause of power outages faster.”
Utilities say the drones can access infrastructure that is difficult to reach for utility crews and alert them if repairs are needed. They are also much cheaper to own and operate than using helicopters to inspect lines.
Jamie Exon, who manages the drone program for SDG&E, told Utility Dive last month that “every time we fly [in a helicopter], it's about $1,200 to fly a mile.” The utility inspects more than 26,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines, but can purchase a drone for less than $20,000.
