Electricity distributor Essential Energy is embracing new technology and research partnerships to help manage extreme weather risks posed to regional, rural, and remote communities across New South Wales.
It comes as severe weather events including bushfires, storms, and floods persist for longer seasons and challenge energy networks, signalling the need for suppliers to provide new approaches to uphold a safe, reliable network.
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Essential Energy’s network risk strategy manager Ian Fitzpatrick said the University of Melbourne and New South Wales’ electricity networks have partnered to develop advanced bushfire risk modelling that paints a clearer picture of bushfire dangers.
“This technology brings together data on past bushfire events, weather patterns, vegetation and network characteristics to estimate not only where a fire is most likely to start, but what the impact could be on people, property and the environment if it spreads,” Fitzpatrick said.
“So far, thanks to this technology, we’ve been able to pinpoint how the fire risk varies across our vast network.”
Essential Energy said the updated model shows the bushfire risk along the Mid North Coast is higher than previous years. These predictions allow the electricity operator to deploy crews to target problematic areas before they become more hazardous.
In addition to its advanced modelling technology, expansions to Essential Energy’s airspace fleet including drone and helicopter mounted cameras are improving the efficiency of its network checks with sharper, more detailed views of areas in its network.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used to review inspection photos, speed up the defect identification process, and enable faster response times for crews.
“Collaboration is key to tackling bushfire risk. Our network stretches across some of the most diverse and challenging landscapes in New South Wales. With bushfire seasons growing longer and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, we can’t rely on old ways of working,” Fitzpatrick said.
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“By sharing knowledge and harnessing new technology, every year we’re improving how we manage risk and improve resilience across the network.”
Essential Energy is continuing to invest in new technology and partnerships with other NSW electricity networks to improve the safety and reliability of the network for communities across the state.
