2023-08-18 09:58:40
Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is using a helicopter equipped with an aerial saw to trim trees to ensure proper spacing around nearly 600 miles of high-voltage transmission lines in its West Virginia service area. The work, which covers transmission corridors in several counties, is expected to be completed this fall.
Maintaining adequate clearances around transmission lines and electrical equipment is crucial to preventing tree-related power outages, especially during severe weather seasons. Removing incompatible vegetation under power lines also facilitates easier access for faster inspections, maintenance, and repairs during power outages.
Suspended below the helicopter on one arm and equipped with multiple rotating blades, the aerial saw is used in environmentally sensitive or hard-to-reach areas. This method allows for efficient pruning, covering more area in a day compared to a ground crew’s weekly progress. It also eliminates the risk of injury to workers.
The saw cleanly cuts tree limbs 8 to 10 inches in diameter, and fallen limbs are quickly removed by ground crews. Vehicle drivers are stopped along highways when the aerial saw is operating nearby. The helicopter flies above and alongside the transmission lines, circling for additional pruning, while maintaining communication with local airport personnel.
In addition to tree trimming, helicopter crews have conducted inspections of more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines in Mon Power’s service territory. These inspections address issues such as damaged cables, broken idlers, insulator issues, and other hardware issues not visible from the ground. Reliability concerns identified during the inspection will be promptly addressed. Vegetation management aerial patrols are also being conducted to assess vegetation along the transmission corridor.
Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. For more information, you can follow Mon Power on his website, Twitter and Facebook pages. FirstEnergy, the parent company, is committed to integrity, security and operational excellence. They operate 10 electric distribution companies, serving customers in several states. Visit the FirstEnergy website and follow them on Twitter for more updates.
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