Powercor

Powercor Australia is a significant electricity distribution company that operates across western Victoria and the western suburbs of Melbourne. The company is responsible for owning, maintaining, and managing a vast network of power lines, substations, and streetlights, serving over 800,000 customers.

A subsidiary of the Victoria Power Networks group, Powercor is jointly owned by CK Infrastructure Holdings and Spark Infrastructure. Its services are crucial for distributing electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas, and the company is also involved in modernizing its grid and integrating renewable energy sources.

Powercor utilizes a fleet of helicopters, including Bell 407 and Bell 505 models, for its comprehensive year-round vegetation management and bushfire mitigation programs. These helicopters are equipped with advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, which allows them to fly at low altitudes and scan powerlines to measure the precise distance between tree branches and electrical infrastructure. This data is then used to create detailed 3D models of the network and its surroundings, enabling Powercor to accurately identify where and when vegetation needs to be trimmed.

The aerial inspections are a critical part of the companys strategy to reduce the risk of power outages and bushfires caused by trees and branches coming into contact with powerlines, particularly in Victorias high-risk areas. This method is considered a significant improvement over traditional ground-based inspections, providing a more consistent, efficient, and safer way to manage the extensive network.