Drones boost maintenance efficiency Our stories Western Power is continuing to explore new aerial
We’re also trialing the use of drones to complete LiDAR mapping of powerlines and digitisation of network assets like substations. These applications would further increase safety, network security and enable crews to make decisions faster when unplanned outages occur. The final trial underway uses drones to install attachments (known as tiger tails) to power lines to deter wildlife and increase visibility. This reduces the chance of wildlife, farm equipment or other vehicles accidentally impacting network infrastructure and the potential for related unplanned outages. Investigations into whether drones could be used for other purposes, including to monitor site security or install sensors that can monitor the real-time capacity of overhead power transmission lines, are also underway. These applications are really exciting and will further help to increase the resilience of our network, enhance operational efficiency and safety, and improve the felt experience for the community.
technologies and techniques to assist in the delivery of our $1 billion annual comprehensive asset renewal and maintenance program to ensure the continued delivery of a safe, resilient network. Drone technology is increasingly becoming a crucial part of our operations at Western Power optimising the way we work and improving the power experience for our customers. We have 68 licenced remote pilots and a fleet of 30 base aircraft with access to other specialised drones. We’re currently using drones to assist in critical tasks that enhance network resilience and maintain network reliability including 2D, 3D and LiDAR mapping, asset inspections, patrols, stringing power lines and locating faults. Using drones to patrol our network is particularly useful during the summer months where there is an increase in unplanned power outages. Western Power’s network is among the largest in Australia, and one of the world’s largest island grids, with several rural distribution feeders that are more than 100kms in length and pass through areas of bushfire risk. Crews are able to use drones to conduct line patrols and identify faults more efficiently than vehicle or foot patrols, reducing the duration of unplanned power outages and managing bushfire risk. Through a series of new trials, we’re exploring other innovative applications of drones including whether they can be used to: • remotely apply silicone to live insulators to reduce the risk of pole top fires; • map powerlines to accelerate decision making; and • install attachments to powerlines to deter wildlife and increase visibility. If implemented, drones could be used to treat insulators in areas of the network where helicopters or elevated work platforms can’t access.
Western Power Annual Report 2025
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