Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is testing the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) to assist with inspections of electric and gas infrastructure. The utility is conducting two programs to explore the feasibility of using drones to monitor electric infrastructure in hard-to-reach areas and to detect methane leaks across its 70,000-square-mile service area. The first drone test flight recently took place at PG&E's 148.776-MW Balch Powerhouse, a hydroelectric facility in the Sierra Mountains outside Fresno, Calif. Visual inspections of this facility require employees to use fall-restraint equipment, due to the height and the steep angle of the terrain. "This is a hazardous task that requires significant investment in training and protective equipment to perform safely," the company says.
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