Nova Scotia Power to implement AI technology to help reduce outages

Nova Scotia Power is using artificial intelligence to determine when to cut branches and trees.

Nova Scotia Power is turning to technology to help fix a long running problem of falling branches and trees taking down lines.

The utility is betting on better service based on information gathered from satellites circling the earth.

“Producing that snapshot of our entire system really enables us to focus in on those high-risk areas. So, it’s important to know where we need to be, but it’s also equally important to know where we don’t need to be,” says Jason Lyver, Nova Scotia Power’s manager of vegetation management.

It’s a first in Atlantic Canada to use the services of the company AIDASH

Nova Scotia Power’s officials say getting a high-resolution image of the 28,000 kilometres of power lines that run throughout the province will allow the utility to better manage vegetation growth around poles and wires. The technology colour codes areas that need attention from low to top priority.

“This data is really going to help us target those areas that have trees that are closest to the conductor so we can target those areas first,” says Layver.

As a result, customers should see fewer outages caused by vegetation impact on infrastructure during storms, says Damian Daniels, NSP’s manager of reliability engagement.

“Obviously, with our number one outage cause being trees, this just helps us be more efficient with the funds and budget that we do work with,” he says.

The cost is $3 million over three years and is part of Nova Scotia Power’s five-year reliability plan that includes modernizing the grid, reinforcing the system, as well as vegetation management.

“This technology and this work is a part of our plan in order to make sure we’re meeting those standards by 2029,” says the company’s director of reliability, Charlene MacMullin.

The imagery is not live and can only be captured in the summer months when leaves are still on the trees.

All this began as a pilot project three years ago. Nova Scotia Power will fully implement the new AI technology in 2026.

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