Getac : Understanding Vegetation Management and its Impact on Utilities

Tree pruning and other forms of vegetation management are becoming increasingly critical in the safe and effective operation of power lines and related utilities.

Vegetation management includes the effective removal of unwanted plant growth from areas surrounding utilities areas of operation. These regions have the immediate vicinity of the power lines and the right of way for utilities to operate safely.

Utilities need access to power lines at specific points along their installations. These, too, need to be free of tall vegetation like trees.

Because of the sheer volume of the task, vegetation management is one of the most sizable operating expenses for utilities. The sector spends between US$6-$8 billion annually on clearing vegetation from overhead lines, according to the research firm Accenture.

Factors Complicating Vegetation Management

These ongoing operations and maintenance costs will likely increase and become more erratic due to several additional compounding factors. These include:

Extreme Weather

Expect trees to become more like kindling, ready to spark a fire at a moment's notice due to increased aridification and drought from climate change. It's not just dry conditions that can cause damage. Extreme weather like hurricanes can weigh power lines down and cause arcing and spark fires. Estimating the range and degree to which natural vegetation will morph due to climate change over the coming decades will be an integral and necessary part of vegetation management.

Aging Infrastructure

The utilities grid, power transmission, and distribution lines worldwide are aging. In the United States alone, the majority of infrastructure is old. A 2015 report found that most (70 percent) of the U.S. power transmission lines were over 25 years old. When utilities are already under strain with equipment showing signs of extensive wear and tear, adding vegetation to the list of problems compounds the issue.

Given that the United States alone has about 700,000 miles of power lines, utilities have an uphill climb regarding routine maintenance and operations protocols.

Shortage of Labor

A quarter of the U.S. utility industry's workforce is expected to retire by 2023. This means the operations and maintenance burden falls on a smaller segment of professionals. These can also be the newer recruits who are still being trained in a complex landscape. Utilities need to strategically leverage their existing talent in the most needed locations.

Integrating Renewables into the Energy Grid

Power generation is undergoing fundamental changes with new energy sources being piped into energy grids. The additions will likely reconfigure existing infrastructure to accommodate additional energy delivery methods.

Varying Legislation

Permits for clearance of right of way vary depending on location. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines rules for vegetation encroachment near transmission lines in the United States. Meanwhile, local laws apply to distribution lines.

These collective factors together complicate the process of vegetation management. The solution lies in building efficiencies through the effective use of technology. Empowering the workforce to access accurate information on site is also a viable option.

Approaches to Vegetation Management

Traditional methods of addressing overgrown vegetation that spill onto utilities' right of way involve scheduling periodic maintenance according to a fixed timetable. The frequency varies depending on geography and growing seasons but follows a calendar rhythm. Companies preferably use the previous year's records to predict what the season ahead will deliver. Such a system is proving ineffective as the demands of climate change-driven growth and damage drive unexpected and more frequent need for vegetation removal.

Utilities are also looking for practical methods that focus on public safety and the efficient use of labor. Preventative maintenance using more advanced geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics is being rolled into service as a leaner option.

AI can automate large sections of the most tedious vegetation management process and, equally important, factor in changing growth patterns. Automation through AI will also be vital in implementing know-how about vegetation and its rates of growth and the impact of growth retardants at scale. When millions of miles of lines are involved, automation at scale will be necessary for effective vegetation management.

Utility workers using drones and Internet of Things-driven mechanisms can develop custom plans for their areas of purview. This can be done using relevant vegetation growth and density data. Such custom solutions deliver vegetation management as and when needed instead of deploying workers to regions that may or may not need services.

In addition, deploying drones in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters can help technicians narrow down the areas that need close attention. They can also potentially cut the time required to bring systems back online.

The Role of Integrated Vegetation Management

Integrated vegetation management (IVM) is a complementary approach that focuses on the long-term planning of ecosystems. This is done through various mechanical, chemical, and biological methods.

The desired outcome from IVM is vegetation that is lower to the ground. This is similar to drought-resistant shrubs, adapted to local climate conditions. IVM is a delicate balance that recognizes the contribution of trees to the betterment of the ecosystem while protecting public safety and utility lines from operating challenges.

Executing a more finely tuned vegetation management program that will yield promising returns on investment will require accurate information on the ground. This is more evident if utility crews respond immediately after disasters.

Rugged mobile devices help workers access the data necessary to do their jobs. Teams on the ground can also relay live information to dispatch crews for more efficient and safe deployment of resources. The logistics of human worker allocation are complex. Equipping workers with geolocation and rugged mobile devices allows for faster resolution of problems.

As the demands and strains on utilities increase over the coming decades, the sector will need a more tech-focused and flexible approach to vegetation management. Doing it carefully and regularly with the right tools will ensure business stability and minimize future disruptions.

Scott Thie

Scott Thie is the Director of Sales at Getac. With over 25 years' experience in the tech industry, Scott's expertise includes creating a sustainable and scalable sales model that delivers comprehensive solutions to key vertical markets such as utilities, healthcare, and enterprise.

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