- engitech@mail.com
- Mon - Sat: 8.00 am - 7.00 pm
We are creative, ambitious and ready for challenges! Hire Us
NY Power Authority – Mission Manager
Published:
October 19, 2023
Category:
Energy / Utilities
Client:
NYPA
Elevating Utility Operations through Drone Technology and Advanced Software Solutions - A Case Study
New York Power Authority (NYPA), the largest state public power organization in the United States, has forged a strategic partnership with ANRA Technologies, a leader in airspace management solutions for autonomous aircraft operators. This case study delves into NYPA’s progressive approach to addressing challenges and seizing opportunities within the utility sector by seamlessly integrating drone technology and advanced software solutions. The key objectives of this innovative approach are as follows:
- Mitigating challenges in the deployment of drones for inspecting and monitoring power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure to enhance asset assessment.
- Optimizing workflow efficiency by seamlessly integrating drone and software technology, thereby enhancing the efficacy of operations – a critical requirement for an entity of NYPA’s magnitude.
- Prioritizing collaborative efforts to minimize risks faced by front-line workers by leveraging drones and advanced software for inspections and data collection, consequently reducing the necessity for personnel to operate in potentially hazardous conditions.
- The integration of these cutting-edge technologies facilitates the creation of shared situational awareness across the organization, leading to faster response times and improved daily operations, maintenance projects, and emergency response activities, including weather-related events.
ANRA Technologies' Role
ANRA Technologies plays a pivotal role in this partnership by offering a software platform that seamlessly interfaces with NYPA’s existing tools and services. This state-of-the-art platform augments operational efficiencies and ensures safety during mission-critical scenarios and tasks. The software platform’s versatility in managing air, sea, and land systems in a harmonized manner aligns seamlessly with NYPA’s multifaceted requirements. ANRA Technologies’ wealth of experience and expertise, acquired through collaborations with prestigious institutions like the FAA, NASA, and Fortune 50 companies, ensures the safety of NYPA’s missions and effectively mitigates risks for their dedicated teams.
Outcomes
The integration of unmanned systems and advanced software solutions has already yielded a host of tangible benefits for NYPA:
- Leveraging drones and robotics has effectively minimized personnel exposure to perilous situations, such as ascending transmission poles or working in proximity to energized substation equipment, enhancing safety. Additionally, it has significantly reduced the need for manned helicopter sorties for transmission line inspections.
- NYPA’s operations have demonstrated a remarkable upturn in efficiency, thanks to the real-time asset health data captured by UAS drones. This data empowers more informed operational decisions, thereby enhancing maintenance practices and reducing downtime.
- A substantial and sustained cost reduction has been achieved through the substitution of manned helicopter sorties with electric drones and unmanned systems for inspection purposes.
- The establishment of shared situational awareness throughout the organization has resulted in expedited response times for routine operations and emergencies, ultimately enhancing customer service and the reliability of the power system.
Conclusion
The collaborative endeavour between NYPA, ANRA Technologies, and Skydio, aimed at integrating drones and advanced software solutions within the utility sector, exemplifies the potential of cutting-edge technology in elevating operational efficiency, safety, and emergency response. This case study underscores how forward-thinking utility companies can harness the capabilities of drone technology and software solutions to fulfil their objectives while ensuring the sustainable and secure provision of power to their valued customers
