CREWS from Essential Energy are conducting drone inspections across Moree, including the central business district and adjacent areas.

Drone inspections will be ongoing over the coming weeks as part of a program to maintain and improve the electricity network.

The program is expected to continue until September and Moree residents may notice drones flying overhead.

All drone operations are conducted under a Civil Aviation Safety Authority licence and follow strict safety and privacy protocols.

A drone was recently used to inspect a 90-metre tower in Moree, mitigating the risks for employees associated with climbing these heights.

Essential Energy says drones are focused solely on its infrastructure and do not collect personal data.

Drone technology allows Essential Energy to assess the condition of network assets in a safer manner, and dramatically reduces the time needed to complete inspections.

“This helps us to deliver a safe and reliable network more efficiently, ultimately benefiting customers by contributing to lower network charges.”

Drones are used Aerial photography in urban environments where fixed aircraft can’t be used. This allows for an optimised condition assessment of all our overhead assets;

Inspection of communication towers where previously technicians needed to climb well over 40 metres high;

Provide photographs for review and optimisation of potential defect rectification work required. This allows informed decisions to be made;

Inspection of poles in areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. The drones bird’s-eye view reduces the need for inspectors to use climbing techniques or get elevated work platforms into these areas;

First response after bushfires and flood affected areas before ground crews are granted access;

Inspection of vegetation encroaching on our network in hard to reach areas; and

Conductor restringing. The use of a release mechanism mounted to the underside of the drone enables a small rope to be flown across rivers and gorges where previously helicopters were used at great expense. The small rope acts as a feeder rope to pull the conductor across.

“The use of the new drone technology within our business has excited our employees and encouraged organic thinking and growth of all new technologies for future use,” said Essential Energy.

“We are applying to CASA for a Remote Operating Certificate to use larger drones greater than 2kg in weight. These larger drones have capabilities such as dual gimbals which will enable our employees to complete two inspections in the same flight.

“They will also provide a snapshot of the internal condition of conductors, connections and zone substations by using thermal imaging and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology mounted on drones.”