Asset Inspections & Pre-Fire Danger Season Patrols

Aerial Power Line Patrols In conjunction with Helistar, DPD are conducting asset inspections of the ETSA Utilities overhead distribution & sub-transmission network. Helicopters are used for aerial patrols and 4WD vehicles for ground patrols. Pre-bushfire season patrols of overhead power lines to report on defects or vegetation infringements that may cause outages or start fires. Also involves emergency patrols of power lines after storm events and fault locating during outages.

DPD provides skilled and experienced inspectors from both within the company and by outsourcing from selected companies, meeting target dates and passing audits carried out by ETSA. Working in conjunction with ETSA field crews during power outages to locate, identify and report faults to enable ETSA to restore supply as quickly as possible. Continuous enhancement of data capturing techniques and efficiencies in aerial and ground patrol route selection along feeders. Utilises GPS, GIS & moving map systems, high quality image stabilised photography and defect reporting techniques.

Clients and asset owners for both distribution and transmission line asset inspections include:

ETSA Utilities, ETSA CaMS, OZ Minerals, BHP Billiton, Epic Energy, SANTOS