The largest maintenance costs for San Isabel Electric Association are related to the weather and vegetation. Vegetation management is the largest controllable maintenance cost. Given that about one third of SIEA’s territory is considered forested, managing this greenery is crucial.
Although most trees do not present a problem, some of them grow into or crowd power lines or other utility equipment. When greenery becomes overgrown it can cause power outages and fire hazards.
In July, the co-op added innovative software from Sheltera to its vegetation management program, making it Sheltera’s first Colorado client to use this advanced tree scanning technology.
Sheltera’s system combines satellite imagery, light detecting and ranging laser systems (LiDAR), and artificial intelligence to monitor vegetation growth around power lines. This allows SIEA to get detailed
reports quickly, pinpointing areas where vegetation could cause problems.
Here’s how the process works:
- High-resolution satellite images assess the density and health of the foliage.
- LiDAR imaging maps the height of the vegetation, highlighting areas that intersect with power lines.
- AI and machine learning create a heat map that prioritizes high-risk areas, giving each tree cluster a threat code based on urgency.
Reducing outages
This system may help reduce power outages and cut down on maintenance costs. SIEA has a tree trimming program that trims vegetation every seven years in low-growth areas and every three years in high-growth areas. Since starting this aggressive vegetation management program in 2017, the number of outages have decreased significantly. With the addition of Sheltera’s software, SIEA hopes to see even further improvement in reliability.
Reduced maintenance costs
The increased efficiency of the territory-wide scans will also cut down on maintenance costs. Unexpected maintenance costs, which are usually related to outages, are a significant expense. Reducing tree-related or vegetation-related outages should result in some cost savings. The efficiency of Sheltera’s scans means that what previously took months — riding along the power lines to identify hazards — now takes only a few days. This rapid assessment is not only cost effective but also enhances crew safety — especially during storm-related outages, which pose significant risks to SIEA workers.
Reduced fire risk
Perhaps most importantly, this technology helps with wildfire mitigation, a critical concern for the community. By working together, SIEA and its members can ensure a safer environment, keeping both power lines clear, and neighborhoods protected from fire hazards.
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