Powerline safety trial

Horsham is part of a trial exploring a new way of inspecting the safety of powerlines.

Electricity distributor Powercor is using Horsham and Winchelsea as subject areas for an investigation into the use of detailed photography, data algorithms and low-flying helicopters.

This month a specialist inspection team has been flying above 1088 kilometres of powerlines in Horsham district and 288 kilometres of powerlines in Winchelsea taking aerial photos of more than 6000 poles.

Powercor Head of Digital Luke Skinner said the trial would provide important insight into how aerial inspections could be used to reduce the cost to customers of keeping the network safe.

“Our focus is on delivering safe and reliable power to customers and we are always investigating different ways we can inspect and maintain our network for the benefit of the community,” he said.

The Powercor network covers more than 145,700 square kilometres in Victoria’s western region.

“Traditionally, our ground crews inspect the powerlines, but this is time intensive, particularly when compared with the speed and distances a helicopter can travel,” Mr Skinner said.

“By using a helicopter, our team is able to fly quickly along large stretches of poles and wires.

“We can capture high-resolution imagery from helicopters and continue to train our computer vision algorithms to find irregularities while we progress with aerial photo research and development.”