ABOUT THE TOPIC

While utilities have deployed UAVs for asset inspections (among other use cases, like power line stringing) for years, the types of data the UAVs collect, and how that deluge of inspection data is handled and analyzed continues to evolve as machine learning and AI help broaden utility use cases. While many early deployments were focused on public safety and automating parts of the O&M value chain, more sophisticated software packages from emerging vendors may unlock additional value from the datasets provided by internal or contractor UAV flights. This session will take a closer look at how utilities are finding innovative new use cases to not only enhance O&M business processes, but also the digital transformation of the industry at large.

And should all asset inspection data be collected from the sky? We'll find out.

ABOUT THE INNOVATORS

Sharper Shape provides both asset inspection data collection and analytics services, exclusively to the electric power industry since 2013. While Sharper Shape does offer end-to-end services and also proprietary sensor packages (using third-party UAVs) , its standout product is its enterprise software platform called CORE (Cloud Optimized Remote Evaluation). CORE offers what Sharper Shape has deemed "Living Digital Twin" (LDT) functionality, meaning the platform is capable of supporting real-time updates as asset inspections and are performed (e.g., updates from UAV flights during outage restoration). Further, the CORE platform is designed to be agnostic of inspection data type and source (meaning other contractors or internal resources may run the drone flights), although the full potential of the platform is realized when intaking LiDAR.

Also worthy to note, the CORE software is intended to be a true enterprise-grade platform, meaning its user interface (UI) is meant for a variety of business units and professionals, and it is designed with integrating with utility business processes and other enterprise software, like SAP and Oracle.

Noteworthy AI is an emerging vendor that's gaining quick commercial tracking with its utility vehicle-mounted sensor and data handling solution.

Fast Forward is a relatively young startup, but led by tenured utility and image AI professionals, with a compelling solution for cost-effectively scaling thermal inspections of overhead infrastructure.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This event will be of interest to folks directly involved with T&D overhead asset maintenance, reliability and performance. Further, this event will help inform anyone who seeks to understand the potential for automated T&D inspections and AI-driven analytics in dramatically improving utilities' awareness of as-built infrastructure (e.g., network model validation and correction).