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Delmarva Power using helicopters to inspect local power lines

Inspections help maintain safe, reliable service
April 4, 2018

Throughout April, Delmarva Power will continue to inspect more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines by helicopter in Delaware and Maryland. In Delaware, inspections will occur in all three counties.

The aerial inspections are part of the company's ongoing commitment to deliver safe and reliable service for its customers. Delmarva Power puts nearly $27 million annually toward preventive maintenance to proactively review its system and address potential problems before they occur.

"Every day, our crews and personnel are in the field performing essential work to meet our customers' energy needs," said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. "By performing the aerial inspections with helicopters, we are enhancing reliability, safety and efficiency across our system."

The helicopters conducting the aerial inspections will be flying low to complete comprehensive visual inspections of transmission lines and guy wire grounding, which is used to support utility poles and protect against potential issues. Following the inspections, Delmarva Power will make any necessary repairs and replacements so the power lines can continue to safely serve customers.

Recently, Delmarva Power has also been studying new opportunities to modernize the way it inspects the local energy grid and maintains reliable service for customers. The rapid growth of unmanned aircraft systems, more commonly known as drones, presents a host of opportunities to incorporate advanced technologies into daily operations. Delmarva Power flew the first test mission in North East, Md., in spring 2017 and has now flown several missions focused on reliability across its service area. The devices will continue to be used on a trial basis to assess the condition of the system, in conjunction with traditional physical human inspections from the ground or by helicopter.

In addition to aerial inspections, Delmarva Power follows a targeted annual plan to further enhance overall system reliability and safety for customers. This plan includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could potentially impact the system, building new substations, strengthening the transmission system, and installing stronger, tree-resistant cable. The company also uses innovative technologies to enhance reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage.

For more information, go to www.delmarva.com.

 

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