Earlier this month, the authority approved the first phase of funding for a $37.2 million drone program for new inspection capabilities over the next five years. The program, NYPA said, should position the organization as an industry leader in robotics.
NYPA is a public benefit corporation that runs power plants including the large hydroelectric generators in the Niagara Falls area and along the St. Lawrence River.
It's the nation's largest state-owned power company with 16 generating plants and more than 1,400 miles of electric lines.
Dating to the 1930s, NYPA has recently gained added importance in New York's move toward developing green energy. Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier in the year approved plans directing the organization to work with other power developers and utilities in building new energy sources such as solar and wind farms.
The use of drones can help with inspections that would otherwise be done in person or by helicopter, with people often climbing dangerous towers to look at power lines or energized parts of power generators, which present shock hazards.
"The power authority has built up a significant drone program over the past few years and this expansion and support will help us use automated inspections to more safely and efficiently evaluate the state of our energy assets," NYPA Chairman John R. Koelmel said.
NYPA's Board of Trustees this week authorized an initial $9.6 million for the drone program to pay for equipment, software, personnel, training, procurement, regulatory compliance and contingencies.
Planning for a formal drone program began in 2019 when policies and procedures were developed to guide drone use. The agency hired a drone manager in 2021.
Since then, nearly 100 people have been trained in drone use and they are in the process of standardizing equipment.
Drone usage also lessens the need for expensive helicopter flights to inspect transmission lines.
NYPA drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors that can detect faults and anomalies that may be invisible to the human eye, ensuring potential hazards are identified and addressed before they cause problems.
"By bringing more drones into our day-to-day operations, we can better harness the benefit of automation, safety and consistency across our assets while reducing costs and ensuring a more reliable power supply," said Peter Kalaitzidis, the Power Authority's robotics program manager.
Earlier this year, NYPA received its first federal approval to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight of the pilot in command. The Federal Aviation Administration waiver enables NYPA to conduct fully remote drone operations such as inspections at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County.
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