Helicopters, Infrared Technology Used to Complete Proactive Inspections of High-Voltage Power Lines in FirstEnergy Service Area
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is conducting proactive aerial inspections of nearly 5,000 miles of high-voltage power lines across its six-state service area using infrared and ultraviolet (IR/UV) technology. The inspections, performed every four years, help detect early-stage equipment issues that are often invisible during regular visual inspections. The low-flying helicopter patrols, operating at 25-35 mph, use specialized cameras to identify potential problems like loose connections, corrosion, and cracked insulators.
Current completion rates vary by region: Ohio (64% of 1,046 miles), Pennsylvania (50% of 2,220 miles), New Jersey (42% of 630 miles), and West Virginia & Maryland (20% of 648 miles). This initiative is part of FirstEnergy's Energize365 program, which includes $28 billion in planned investments between 2025-2029 to create a smarter, more secure grid capable of meeting future energy demands.
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) sta effettuando ispezioni aeree preventive su quasi 5.000 miglia di linee elettriche ad alta tensione nel suo territorio di servizio che copre sei stati, utilizzando tecnologie a infrarossi e ultravioletti (IR/UV). Le ispezioni, svolte ogni quattro anni, permettono di individuare problemi agli impianti in fase iniziale, spesso invisibili durante le normali ispezioni visive. I sorvoli con elicotteri a bassa quota, che viaggiano a 25-35 mph, utilizzano telecamere specializzate per rilevare potenziali guasti come connessioni allentate, corrosione e isolatori crepati.
I tassi di completamento attuali variano per regione: Ohio (64% di 1.046 miglia), Pennsylvania (50% di 2.220 miglia), New Jersey (42% di 630 miglia) e West Virginia & Maryland (20% di 648 miglia). Questa iniziativa fa parte del programma Energize365 di FirstEnergy, che prevede investimenti pianificati per 28 miliardi di dollari tra il 2025 e il 2029 per creare una rete più intelligente e sicura, in grado di soddisfare le future esigenze energetiche.
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) está realizando inspecciones aéreas proactivas en casi 5,000 millas de líneas eléctricas de alta tensión en su área de servicio de seis estados, utilizando tecnología infrarroja y ultravioleta (IR/UV). Las inspecciones, que se realizan cada cuatro años, ayudan a detectar problemas tempranos en el equipo que a menudo son invisibles durante las inspecciones visuales regulares. Los patrullajes con helicópteros a baja altura, que operan a 25-35 mph, emplean cámaras especializadas para identificar posibles problemas como conexiones sueltas, corrosión y aisladores agrietados.
Las tasas actuales de finalización varían según la región: Ohio (64% de 1,046 millas), Pensilvania (50% de 2,220 millas), Nueva Jersey (42% de 630 millas) y Virginia Occidental y Maryland (20% de 648 millas). Esta iniciativa forma parte del programa Energize365 de FirstEnergy, que incluye inversiones planificadas por 28 mil millones de dólares entre 2025 y 2029 para crear una red más inteligente y segura capaz de satisfacer las futuras demandas energéticas.
퍼스트에너지 (NYSE: FE)는 적외선 및 자외선(IR/UV) 기술을 사용하여 6개 주 서비스 지역 내 거의 5,000마일에 달하는 고전압 송전선을 사전 점검하고 있습니다. 이 점검은 4년마다 실시되며, 일반 육안 점검으로는 보이지 않는 초기 장비 문제를 발견하는 데 도움을 줍니다. 시속 25-35마일로 저고도 비행하는 헬리콥터 순찰은 특수 카메라를 사용해 느슨한 연결, 부식, 균열된 절연체 등 잠재적 문제를 식별합니다.
현재 완료율은 지역별로 다르며, 오하이오(1,046마일 중 64%), 펜실베이니아(2,220마일 중 50%), 뉴저지(630마일 중 42%), 웨스트버지니아 및 메릴랜드(648마일 중 20%)입니다. 이 사업은 퍼스트에너지의 Energize365 프로그램의 일환으로, 2025년부터 2029년까지 280억 달러 규모의 투자를 통해 미래 에너지 수요를 충족할 수 있는 더 스마트하고 안전한 전력망을 구축하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
FirstEnergy (NYSE : FE) réalise des inspections aériennes proactives sur près de 5 000 miles de lignes à haute tension dans sa zone de service couvrant six États, en utilisant la technologie infrarouge et ultraviolet (IR/UV). Ces inspections, effectuées tous les quatre ans, permettent de détecter des problèmes d’équipement à un stade précoce, souvent invisibles lors des inspections visuelles classiques. Les patrouilles d’hélicoptères volant à basse altitude, à une vitesse de 25 à 35 mph, utilisent des caméras spécialisées pour identifier des problèmes potentiels tels que des connexions lâches, de la corrosion ou des isolateurs fissurés.
Les taux d’achèvement actuels varient selon les régions : Ohio (64 % de 1 046 miles), Pennsylvanie (50 % de 2 220 miles), New Jersey (42 % de 630 miles) et Virginie-Occidentale & Maryland (20 % de 648 miles). Cette initiative fait partie du programme Energize365 de FirstEnergy, qui prévoit des investissements planifiés de 28 milliards de dollars entre 2025 et 2029 afin de créer un réseau plus intelligent et sécurisé, capable de répondre aux futures demandes énergétiques.
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) führt proaktive Luftinspektionen von fast 5.000 Meilen Hochspannungsleitungen in seinem sechs Bundesstaaten umfassenden Versorgungsgebiet durch, wobei Infrarot- und Ultraviolett-Technologie (IR/UV) zum Einsatz kommt. Die alle vier Jahre durchgeführten Inspektionen helfen, frühzeitige Geräteprobleme zu erkennen, die bei regulären Sichtprüfungen oft unsichtbar bleiben. Die niedrig fliegenden Hubschrauberpatrouillen, die mit 25-35 mph unterwegs sind, nutzen spezialisierte Kameras, um potenzielle Probleme wie lose Verbindungen, Korrosion und gerissene Isolatoren zu identifizieren.
Die aktuellen Abschlussraten variieren je nach Region: Ohio (64 % von 1.046 Meilen), Pennsylvania (50 % von 2.220 Meilen), New Jersey (42 % von 630 Meilen) sowie West Virginia & Maryland (20 % von 648 Meilen). Diese Initiative ist Teil des Energize365-Programms von FirstEnergy, das geplante Investitionen in Höhe von 28 Milliarden US-Dollar zwischen 2025 und 2029 umfasst, um ein intelligenteres und sichereres Netz zu schaffen, das den zukünftigen Energiebedarf decken kann.
- Part of a $28 billion grid modernization investment plan (2025-2029)
- Proactive maintenance approach to prevent costly repairs and service disruptions
- Advanced technology implementation for enhanced grid reliability
- Comprehensive coverage of 5,000 miles of power lines across six states
- None.
Insights
FirstEnergy's routine aerial inspections support their $28B grid modernization plan while demonstrating preventative maintenance best practices.
FirstEnergy's implementation of infrared and ultraviolet (IR/UV) inspection technology represents standard but sophisticated preventative maintenance in the utility industry. These aerial inspections covering nearly 5,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines occur on a four-year cycle, complementing annual visual patrols that identify more obvious issues.
The real value of these inspections lies in early detection capabilities. By identifying "hot spots" and discharge issues before they cause failures, FirstEnergy avoids both costly emergency repairs and potentially significant regulatory penalties for reliability failures. Utilities typically face strict performance metrics from regulators, with financial implications for outage frequency and duration.
These inspections support FirstEnergy's $28 billion Energize365 program (2025-2029), a substantial capital deployment focused on grid modernization. The emphasis on a "smarter, more secure grid" positions the company for three critical industry challenges:
- Increasing electrification of homes, businesses, and transportation
- Integration of intermittent renewable energy sources
- Growing base electricity demand requiring enhanced reliability
With approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, FirstEnergy's proactive maintenance approach demonstrates operational discipline expected of well-managed utilities. This inspection program represents an operational best practice rather than a transformative initiative, supporting the company's broader infrastructure modernization strategy.
Patrols identify invisible equipment issues to prevent future service interruptions
Completed every four years in conjunction with FirstEnergy subsidiaries American Transmission Systems Incorporated (ATSI), Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission LLC (MAIT), Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company (KATCo), Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo) and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), IR/UV patrols help prevent future power outages by detecting early-stage and often invisible equipment issues within transmission substations and on high-voltage power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. These comprehensive inspections complement annual aerial patrols that identify visible concerns, like overgrown trees, damaged equipment or birds nesting on electrical equipment.
Mark Mroczynski, President of FirstEnergy Transmission: "The transmission system is the first line of defense in preventing power outages because it supplies the electricity that flows into substations and along power lines to every single one of our customers. This work supports the vast investments we're making to strengthen our power system to meet the country's growing energy needs."
An IR/UV inspection is performed at low-flying patrol speeds between 25 and 35 mph, using an infrared and ultraviolet camera mounted on the bottom of the helicopter. The onboard thermographer uses the camera to view the electrical equipment through infrared and ultraviolet spectrums to identify any sources of overheated components or voltage issues.
View or download video footage of FirstEnergy's helicopter inspections in action.
The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or "hot spots" indicating areas that could need repairs. The thermal images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, while ultraviolet technology detects electrical discharge along a power line caused by issues like rusted hardware and cracked insulators. The combination of both technologies is beneficial because it provides a wider range of detection. Any issues identified during the inspections are addressed to prevent service disruptions and costly repairs down the road.
The IR/UV aerial inspections in FirstEnergy's territory are underway across the following areas over the next several months:
Ohio – 1,046 miles of power lines, with nearly64% completed.Pennsylvania – 2,220 miles of lines, with about50% completed.New Jersey – 630 miles of lines, with about42% completed.West Virginia &Maryland – 648 miles of lines, with about20% completed.
"Helicopters provide a view of electrical equipment that we can't get from the ground, allowing inspection of miles of power lines in a single day," said Mroczynski. "However, on-the-ground inspections are still necessary and underway to ensure our neighborhood power lines and equipment are ready to meet the high demand for electricity when customers crank up their air conditioning units to stay cool and comfortable this summer."
This inspection work supports Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program focused on transmission and distribution investments that will deliver the power FirstEnergy's customers depend on today while also meeting the challenges of tomorrow. With planned investments of
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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