Eversource to Conduct Drone Surveys

Published December 3, 2018 | Select Board's Office | Automatically Archived on 2/28/2019

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Please be aware that Eversource will be conducting transmission surveys this coming week in your community. This survey will be conducted along our transmission corridor beginning in Wayland then heading towards our Sudbury electric substation before continuing south of our substation in Framingham.

 

Abutters received the following message from our Siting and Transmission group:

As part of our everyday effort to deliver reliable energy to our customers and communities, we’ll be inspecting transmission structures on or near your property. Maintaining the infrastructure is one of the many ways Eversource supports the safe, secure transmission of electricity throughout the region.

We’re Always Working to Serve You Better

We will be doing the maintenance work in your area within the next couple of weeks. This inspection is being done to evaluate the condition of the structures and wire, using an innovative way to provide you with reliable electric service.

Crews will be using drones to inspect the equipment. These drones are aerial devices, about 2 feet across, equipped with a camera, and manned by the drone operator on the ground within the right of way (power line corridor). Drones offer these benefits:

  • High-resolution images of lines, hardware and vegetation;
  • Lower-cost and more-efficient inspections than current methods; and
  • Ability to quickly inspect the lines and structures, with minimum impact to the environment.

What You Can Expect:

  • Reliable Service: Be assured that this work will not interrupt electric service to your property.
  • Information about the Work Crews: Crews from Creative Survey will be conducting the inspections. All drone operators have received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license approvals. The crew will consist of two inspectors walking in the right of way or traveling in a four-wheel drive vehicle. All of our contractors and field representatives carry proper identification.
  • How the Inspections Will Be Done: Crews will be taking pictures with a drone, which will be used only at or near the transmission structures located within the right of way. Each structure inspection will take about 15-30 minutes. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

We’re working with maintenance to get 3-week lookaheads so we can proactively notify Community Relations going forward.