Project
Omaha Public Power District Storm Emergency Response
Location
Nebraska
Challenge
Quickly survey 160 miles of distribution lines to direct field crews to the right locations to restore power after a devastating December storm system.
Solution
Valmont Utility deployed aircraft systems (UAS) drone inspections within hours and worked for three critical days to get eyes on the lines.
“Having drones in the field within minutes after the storm passed meant that we could get crews to the right spot and make repairs that much faster.” — David Spargo, OPPD Manager of Asset Management & Maintenance
Looking at the radar of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes sweeping across the Midwest portion of the United States on December 15, 2021, Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) knew it had to act quickly. To ensure rapid assessment of power line damage, the utility turned to Valmont’s UAS Drone Services the morning of the storm.
The drone pilot team was alerted to expect rapid deployment. After the storm, known as a derecho, blew through that night, the team was deployed to southeast Nebraska within minutes to assess the damage.
Unlike helicopter aerial inspections, which can cost up to $40,000 per day and take three or more days to mobilize, drone pilots captured high-definition imagery and real-time data within minutes of the storm’s passing. Battery-operated drones also reduce carbon emissions by 44%, accounting for fuel need to transport them onsite, compared to helicopters.
With Valmont’s remote-controlled drones capturing high-quality images, OPPD could react more affordably and safely as well. Valmont UAS Drone Services inspected 160 miles (257 kilometers) of transmission and distribution lines within two days of the storm. The drones are able to get as close as 30 feet (9 meters), as opposed to 300 to 500 feet in a helicopter, and our teams identified nine different structure issues on two-line segments.
Valmont’s focus on conserving resources and improving life benefitted both OPPD’s field crews and the 60,000 customers without power. Going out in storm conditions can endanger field personnel, especially with downed power lines. But the drones provided reporting to diagnose issues and triage effectively from the control room.
Drones are making a difference beyond Nebraska too. Valmont UAS Drone Services partners with utilities throughout the U.S. for quick, safe inspections offering quality, real-time insights. Drone pilots cut the risks and financial and environmental costs of on-the-ground inspections and remain ready to take to the skies in severe weather to help restore power promptly.