ScottishPower promotes the use of drones and artificial intelligence to strengthen electricity network resilience

ScottishPower, the UK subsidiary of the Iberdrola Group, through its distributor SP Electricity North West, will launch a pioneering pilot project to use drones and artificial intelligence analytics to speed up the identification of incidents on the electricity network and improve the response to adverse weather events.

The initiative, named VOLT (Visual Overhead Line Tracking), will start in November in the British county of Cumbria and will last for 12 months.

The new technology will allow overhead power lines to be inspected remotely, especially during severe weather conditions. Thanks to the combination of drones and artificial intelligence, teams will be able to detect damage faster, prioritize repairs and accelerate the restoration of supply to customers.

Funded through Ofgem's Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) program, the project aims to improve fault detection, field crew safety and operational efficiency. Furthermore, it will reduce the need for conventional inspections on foot or by helicopter and contribute to developing a more comprehensive digital view of the status of the network, supporting smarter and more reliable management of electrical infrastructure.

You can read the full article in the ScottishPower Media Room.