In this article:

• Explore the potential of digital inspections in reducing the carbon footprint of utilities.
• Learn how traditional inspection methods can have a negative impact on the environment.
• Discover how Zeitview uses advanced digital technology for a greener future for the energy sector.

The demand for energy is not just a matter of the number of people flipping a switch at any given time. It's a dynamic interplay among climate, environmental, household, and business needs. In addition to its mission to provide a steady energy supply, the utility sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the imperatives of decarbonization, decentralization, and digitization. 

The responsibility of electric cooperatives and utilities to provide a reliable energy supply has expanded beyond pure supply and demand. Today, they are the architects of a brighter, cleaner, and more connected future.

This shift requires not only meeting energy demands but doing so with a lower environmental impact. At the heart of this change lies the optimization of infrastructure management, with a particular focus on inspection processes.

Let’s explore a pioneering approach that uses advanced digital technology, and shed light on its potential to lower the carbon footprint of inspections.

The Carbon Cost of Traditional T&D Inspections

T&D inspection methods have long been the standard in the energy industry. However, they are a hidden contributor to environmental pollution and carbon emissions, significantly affecting the carbon footprint of the energy sector. 

Recent analysis conducted by Accenture in collaboration with the World Economic Forum underscores the immense potential of digital technology in curbing emissions. 

According to the analysis, the energy sector, responsible for 34% of global emissions in 2020, represents one of the largest opportunities for decarbonization.^1,2

Understanding the environmental implications of traditional inspection methods requires an examination into the specific carbon costs incurred during these operations. Two critical factors significantly contribute to these costs: the extensive travel necessary for inspections and inefficient resource allocation.

Extensive Travel

Traditional inspections travel from pole to pole, to remote asset locations, and to hard-to-reach locations. This all contributes to the carbon cost in various ways:

1. Vehicle Emissions: Travel usually requires the use of combustion-engine vehicles. These vehicles burn gasoline or diesel, releasing a significant amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. Considering the number of utility assets that need to be inspected regularly and the time traditional inspections take, these emissions add up significantly.
2. Revisits and Re-Inspections: Manual inspections regularly carry the potential for human error in the data collection phase, requiring revisits and re-inspections. This means additional travel, further increasing carbon emissions.
3. Equipment Transport: Heavy equipment needs to be transported to and from each site, often using large, fuel-inefficient vehicles. In addition to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, there is increased wear-and-tear on the equipment and vehicles, which in turn, leads to more frequent replacements and associated carbon costs.

Inefficient Resource Allocation

Inefficient resource allocation during electric utility inspections can significantly contribute to the carbon cost, making a strong case for the adoption of advanced digital inspection methods:

1. Excessive Personnel Deployment: Traditional inspection methods often require sending multiple personnel to various locations, resulting in excessive travel and emissions. By contrast, digital inspection methods, such as drones, can accomplish the same tasks with minimal personnel deployment. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting inspection teams to multiple sites.
2. Unnecessary Vehicle Usage: Inefficient allocation of resources often leads to the use of unnecessary vehicles for inspections. These vehicles, whether powered by gasoline or diesel, generate emissions that can be minimized by using drones and other digital tools that do not require as many on-site vehicles.
3. Longer Inspection Timelines: Inefficient resource allocation can extend the duration of inspections, causing vehicles and equipment to remain operational for more extended periods. This prolonged operation increases fuel consumption and emissions. Adopting digital inspection methods streamlines the process, potentially leading to shorter inspection timelines.

Embracing a Greener Future with Zeitview Inspections and Analysis

Welcome to the age of digital inspections—a game-changing transformation that holds the key to significantly reducing our industry's environmental impact. At Zeitview, we've harnessed the power of advanced digital solutions, including drones, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cutting-edge data analytics, to make our operations more efficient and reduce our reliance on wasteful resource use.

In line with the International Energy Agency's (IEA) net-zero emissions goals outlined to meet the Paris Agreement, implementing these digital solutions across our industry can contribute up to 20% of the reductions needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.³

How? 

Well, drones, which outperform traditional methods in terms of both efficiency and environmental friendliness, not only cut down on emissions but also improve inspection accuracy, reducing the need for re-work and the associated carbon footprint. 

When you add AI and ML into the mix, digital inspections become even more robust, enabling predictive maintenance that fosters proactive and eco-friendly actions, all while providing valuable insights that guide sustainable decision-making. 

Bottom Line in Utility Inspections

In a world striving for sustainability, the path forward for electric cooperatives is clear — adopting greener practices is a necessity. The traditional inspection process, burdened by its heavy carbon footprint, is ripe for a transformative revolution. As an industry, it is time we rethink our conventional methods and embrace the change towards a more sustainable, tech-driven future. 

References:

• World Economic Forum. 2022. Digital solutions can reduce global emissions by up to 20%. Here’s how. Retreived from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/how-digital-solutions-can-reduce-global-emissions/

• World Economic Forum. Climate Scenarios - Digital Industries. Retreived from https://initiatives.weforum.org/digital-transformation/climate-scenarios

• International Energy Agency. 2021. Net Zero by 2050 – Analysis - IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050