Coalville, Leicestershire, 05 March 2013 – Following warnings from the UK energy regulator Ofgem of an ‘horrendous’ energy crunch, aerial mapping company Bluesky is helping electricity companies ensure their power networks are resilient to the threats from falling trees and overgrown vegetation. Using Bluesky’s digital tree map data, known as ProximiTREE, agricultural and environmental consultancy ADAS has helped a number of utility companies prioritise vegetation management activities on overhead lines. This increases the resilience of the lines, therefore protecting customers from blackouts and improving cost and operational efficiencies for the operator. “By helping electricity companies to identify at risk sections of the network and actively plan their vegetation management activities, we are shifting the approach from the usual ‘reactive’ emergency response to a tactic that is proactive and planned,” commented Alison Riding, Team Manager for Environmental Informatics at ADAS. “This has positive financial implications as the costs of achieving resilience are clearly delineated for each portion of the network, which also improves customer service and helps companies comply with newly introduced legislation.”
Using Bluesky’s ProximiTREE data, the Environmental Informatics team at ADAS is able to automatically analyse entire electricity networks. Advanced geospatial analysis is used to identify specific sections where tree pruning and cutting activities should be prioritised. Once the routes have been selected, the next stage is to carry out a robust arboricultural survey and ADAS has devised an innovative approach by assessing trees from an arboricultural point of view and incorporating a risk assessment of the tree falling across the line in severe weather conditions.
“It is well known that trees are one of the largest threats to our aging electricity infrastructure,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Bluesky International. “The Department of Energy and Climate Change has recognised this and expects all electricity distribution network operators to make 20 per cent of the overhead network resilient within the next 25 years. By working in partnership with ADAS we can help them achieve this.”
ProximiTREE is derived from the most accurate and up to date aerial photography. Using overlapping images the exact location of every tree can be mapped and the height and extent of its canopy derived. ProximiTREE is suitable for use in most desktop Geographical Information Systems (GIS), web mapping applications and Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages. Both 2D and 3D versions of the map are available and ProximiTREE works alongside existing Bluesky datasets such as 3D buildings, terrain models and aerial imagery.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns. Buesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees and their proximity to buildings and historical imagery. www.bluesky-world.com
About ADAS
ADAS Group is the UK’s largest independent agricultural and environmental consultancy, and provider of rural development and policy advice aimed at the two major issues of our time; securing food supply and enhancing the environment. ADAS provides independent science-based research, consultancy and contracting services to a wide range of organisations in both the private and public sectors, throughout the UK and internationally. ADAS’s core disciplines are focused around the food chain and the interaction of man with the living, growing environment and ensuring its future sustainability. Through Envar the Group provides innovative waste management solutions that deliver value and profit from a range of waste materials. The Group has over 600 staff covering more than 60 specialisms, operating from a network of offices and research sites in England, Scotland and Wales. www.adas.co.uk