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Electric Utilities

With drone solutions and LiDAR technology, we provide CVI, mobile LiDAR, thermal hot spot detection, and a suite of other services to streamline 3D mapping, inspection, and field validation services.

Meeting the Needs of the Electric Utility Industry

Firmatek has consistently pioneered modern advances in geospatial data mapping through innovative products and services. With over 30 years of industry experience, Firmatek has the expertise and technology to provide 3D mapping, inspections, and field audits.

We believe in using the right tool for the job. Our technology offering includes terrestrial, mobile, and UAV based LiDAR, high resolution RGB visual and IR/thermal sensors. This suite of technology ensures we are able to provide our customers across the industry with the tools and data they need to operate safely and efficiently.

Firmatek Solutions for Electric Utilities

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T&D Infrastructure Classification

Mobile and UAV-based LiDAR are used to capture 3D points clouds to assess infrastructure for transmission, distribution, and joint pole use applications. All T&D assets in addition to surrounding features are identified with a high level of detail and geospatial accuracy. True colorization aids in 3D visualization of the entire T&D model.

  • Extensive feature code classification of T&D assets
  • ROW & surrounding vegetation encroachment classification
  • Powerline catenary sag analysis
  • Pole loading analysis
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Comprehensive Visual Inspection

UAV-mounted, high resolution cameras can be used to capture still photos, thermal imagery, and videos to spot defects, anomalies, and change detection in structures, electrical components, and conductors. Use cases include, but are not limited to:

  • Annual maintenance and inventory validation
  • New construction and installation verification
  • Assessing storm damage, validating line up/down status, and documenting remediation efforts
  • Pole condition (pole rot, crossbeam integrity, moss, birds nests, corrosion)
  • Component failures and defects (missing grounding, flash overs, cracking, discoloration, attach-point wear & tear)
  • Supporting documentation for annual budget reporting and risk mitigation
  • Baseline data-sets required for budget reporting, and liability assessment required by FEMA and insurance providers
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Joint Pole Use Audits

Through pole audits and maintenance inspections, Firmatek can provide the data you need to ensure regulatory compliance, validate and maintain accurate records, plan pole capacity for future fiber optic cable installations.

  • Field validation
  • Attach points & service provider documentation
  • Height & distance measurements
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As-built Line Audits

Electric utilities require accurate as-built drawings of major power poles, towers, substations, and other infrastructure—including component inventory. Even more so, they must be geospatially current. Through the following deliverables, Firmatek can easily and accurately map, monitor, and analyze your electrical infrastructure.

  • Dimensioned CAD drawings in most formats
  • 3D models with object/feature code classification
  • All data compatible with ESRI geospatial environments
  • Monitoring subcontractor project progress and installation verification
  • Capacity planning assessments
  • Plan of record

Deliverables

Firmatek creates customized deliverables for the utilities industry and specializes in field validation, data validation, digitized physical infrastructure, pole loading capacity, and vegetation encroachment and right of way access.

T&D Asset Classification

T&D Asset Classification

Software enables automatic feature classification of T&D assets and surrounding environment.

Thermal/IR Hot Spot Detection

Thermal/IR Hot Spot Detection

Hot-spots are an indication of a potential component failure, often times not visible by RGB/EO cameras.

Vegetation Encroachment

Vegetation Encroachment

Conductor/tower clearances and priority violations are determined for all ROW and surrounding vegetation.

Pole Condition Inspection

Pole Condition Inspection

High definition RGB/EO imagery facilitates year-round inspection/maintenance schedules.

Joint Pole Use Field Validation

Joint Pole Use Field Validation

All electric line and communications conductors are identified and classified in a detailed 3D point cloud.

Joint Point Pole Use Audits

Joint Point Pole Use Audits

Detailed height and distance measurements are calculated with a high level of relative accuracy.

As-builts

As-builts

Engineering grade plan-of-record for new construction projects.

Comprehensive Visual Inspection

Comprehensive Visual Inspection

Ultra-high resolution used to identify potential failures before they occur.

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How It Works

Job Planning

First, we discuss the job requirements and timing with you, then plan and schedule the job. Our field technicians come to your site and perform the data collection.

In-Field Data Collection

Firmatek uses industry leading tools including mobile and UAV based LiDAR, RGB and IR/thermal sensors for inspection, and photogrammetry for mapping.

Data Processing & Analysis

After the data is captured, we upload it to our processing and engineering teams for analysis and final production and publication.

Results & Insights

You receive deliverables, reports, and insights in Firmatek Cloud. Our team is able to answer questions and help you turn insights into business intelligence.

Benefits of Firmatek for Electric Utilities

Time Saving

Faster access to real-time analytics via efficient data collection, automated processing, data analysis performed by experts.

Operating Efficiency

Frequent flyovers for analysis of pole structures, component failures and defects, asset locations, and ROW monitoring.

Installation Verification

Firmatek can easily and accurately map, monitor, and analyze your electrical infrastructure during and after installation.

Long Term Recording

Utilize Firmatek Cloud to track historical data over time for accurate utility asset planning, vegetation measurement, and financial analysis.

Storm Response

Assess storm damage, validating line up/down status, and document remediation efforts for rapid service restoration.

Streamlined Audits

Ensure regulatory compliance, validate and maintain accurate records, plan pole capacity for future fiber optic cable installations, and hold telecommunication providers accountable.

Predicting 2021 Technology for the Electrical Utilities Industry

Predicting 2021 Technology for the Electrical Utilities Industry

By Andrew Maximow, Chief Drone Officer Published in CIO Applications.  At Firmatek, 2020 was a banner year in many ways. We adapted in the midst of a pandemic, utilized innovative technology, and introduced service to the Electrical Utilities industry. ...

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4 LiDAR & UAV Use Cases for Electrical Utilities

4 LiDAR & UAV Use Cases for Electrical Utilities

By Andrew Maximow, Chief Drone Officer A variety of industries utilize drone and LiDAR solutions to streamline their operations. Mining and aggregates are accurately measuring materials, landfills are calculating remaining airspace, and public service...

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Firmatek’s Digital Data Mapping Technology Outperforms Traditional Methods of Utility Inspections

Firmatek’s Digital Data Mapping Technology Outperforms Traditional Methods of Utility Inspections

By Kate Steger, Business Development Representative Over the past year and a half, Firmatek has used our data mapping capabilities to provide services for the electric utility and telecommunication industries. In our period of growth, we have learned...

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Drone & LiDAR Inspections Improve the Utility Industry: Here’s How

Drone & LiDAR Inspections Improve the Utility Industry: Here’s How

By Kate Steger, Business Development Representative A wide variety of industries are utilizing drones in useful, creative ways to advance their business operations. Mining and aggregates are accurately measuring materials, landfills are calculating remaining...

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Predicting 2021 Technology for the Electrical Utilities Industry
4 LiDAR & UAV Use Cases for Electrical Utilities
Firmatek’s Digital Data Mapping Technology Outperforms Traditional Methods of Utility Inspections
Drone & LiDAR Inspections Improve the Utility Industry: Here’s How
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