Cutting-Edge Developments in the Digital Transformation of Utility Asset Inspection

The Energy Drone and Robotics Summit 2024, held in Houston, Texas this June, brought together cutting-edge technology leaders in the drone and robotics sector. Gathering industry leaders, innovators, and experts under one roof, the summit showcased the latest advancements in drone and robotics applications, specifically tailored to revolutionize operations in the energy industry. With a focus on enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability, the event provided a platform for collaborative discussions and hands-on demonstrations, illustrating how these technologies are reshaping the future of energy exploration, production, and maintenance.

Optelos presented our utility application case study along with customer ComEd (an Exelon electrical distribution company) during the general session at the EDR Summit 2024, which was held at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott in Houston, Texas from June 10-12, 2024. There were over 200 people in attendance at the presentation, which was titled “ComEd Case Study: Automating grid analytics through drone inspection and computer vision AI”. The presentation was introduced by Clint Palermo from Optelos and presented by Joey Martinez, Principal Data Scientist at ComEd, who walked through the technical details of their Advanced Image Analytics program.

ComEd Advanced Image Analytics Program

“There are truly some impressive technologies here on display, and the presentations are filled with information of interest.”

Nathan Haynes, LyondellBasell

ComEd Presentation Highlights

ComEd started their Advanced Image Analytics program in 2022 in order to build a more effective and proactive maintenance program, better identify defect conditions, and identify the defects more quickly and efficiently. This human + machine approach leverages the latest visual data technologies and AI-powered analytics to create a more resilient and reliable grid. The presentation covered the key program elements and lessons learned from the project to date, including: 

• Drone data capture program: ComEd utilizes quad drones for distribution asset inspection, piloted by trained Maintenance Inspectors.
• Automated image upload and asset assignment: Images are uploaded from the drones into Skydio cloud, which is integrated with Optelos to allow seamless data transfer directly into the platform. The platform utilizes image metadata such as GPS location and telemetry data to assign the image to the correct asset.
• AI classifier development and processing of inspection imagery: ComEd has developed four Ai classifiers to detect defects on cross arms, lightening arresters, insulators and fuse cutouts.
• Automated defect detection with AI algorithms: Providing near-real time insights into the state of health of all distribution assets utilizing drone-captured imagery with AI processing, ComEd is scaling their program to provide new capabilities for improved asset inspection capacity to their maintenance organization.
• Additional Use Cases: In addition to inspecting distribution assets, ComEd has identified several additional applications for the combined capabilities of drone data capture, AI analysis and a visual data management platform (Optelos) such as nameplate data, environmental monitoring, vegetation management program monitoring, third part attachment audits and equipment model locating.
• Looking ahead: Now that the program has been rolled out internally, ComEd is working to further expand adoption of the platform internally through training programs; improve the value and usability of the platform by integrating legacy inspection imagery and key asset data from other asset databases; raise the accuracy of the AI models through retraining by adding additional labeled datasets; expand the use cases as noted above, which includes adding in new data sources, such as facilities information and imagery.

After the presentation, there was an active Q&A session, which included questions from the many power utilities and energy companies which maintain their own electrical transmission and distribution networks. Audience members had questions around how to estimate the business case ROI of implementing a program like ComEd’s, whether it is possible to capitalize some of the investments in order to earn a return on the spending for rate calculations, and insights on how to gather organizational support for similar initiatives.

An active Q&A session at the end of the presentation revealed that this topic is timely and in active consideration by both energy and utility companies present at the EDR Summit. 

In Summary

By sharing their experience with the Optelos platform and their progress in building a platform to automate core functions of their asset inspection program, ComEd’s presentation left a lasting impression on attendees. By showcasing how drone data capture with AI analytics can reshape the energy landscape and improve maintenance team performance, this presentation underscored the critical role of advanced drone technologies in the energy sector’s future. As the industry continues to evolve, Optelos is a key technology leader and partner that is pioneering solutions that set new standards for performance and reliability in asset inspection operations for leading electric utilities.