The document discusses using innovative GIS and environmental data to optimize vegetation management of power lines. It notes that trees are a major threat to power supplies in the UK. A new approach is presented that uses remote sensing to capture high-resolution spatial data, ArcGIS software to analyze distances between vegetation and conductors and classify risk, and 3D visualization to identify where encroachment is worst. This allows for prioritized, risk-based cutting plans to increase efficiency and reduce costs compared to traditional surveying methods.

1. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
Optimising Vegetation Management Using GIS
Ralph Coleman

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Trees are the single largest threat
to UK electricity supplies.
The Problem

3. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
The Problem

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The Problem
There has been
too much of this

5. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
“Global warming over the last century means heat extremes
that previously only occurred once every 1,000 days are
happening four to five times more often”
a study published in Nature Climate Change said.
The Problem

6. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
“Although no individual storm can be regarded as
exceptional, the clustering and persistence of the
storms is highly unusual”
Met Office speaking about storms in the last 5 years
The Problem

7. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
The following is a brief summary of the effects of the December 2013 storms:
• Over 6,900 faults occurred
• Damage was caused mainly by fallen trees and branches
• Over two million people lost their power supply
• 16,000 customers were left without electricity for more than 48 hours
• Additional costs to DNO’s was £39 million!
• Under Ofgem’s “Guaranteed Standards”, payments to customers totaled
over £7.5 million
• This could be up to £300 per customer for lost service.
The Problem

8. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
• Electricity Supply Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR)
• These regulations state that it is the Electricity Distribution Network
Operators (DNO’s) duty “to keep sufficient distance between
vegetation and overhead lines both to safeguard public safety and
to ensure continuity of supply”
• Strict guidelines on maintaining distances – ENATS 43-8
Legislation

9. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
Traditional Approach
• Teams of surveyors walking the lines
• Average of 3 years to cover a network
• Vegetation grows – never have a complete picture
• The cutting then takes three years which is inefficient
and is likely to result in more ‘tree related outages’ and
therefore associated fines

10. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach
A new approach combining
spatial data and innovative
GIS processes in
revolutionising vegetation
management

11. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach
Data capture
and processing
Analysis Visualisation

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New Approach
Aims
• Where is the encroachment at its worst?
• Accurate and informative results
• Risk based cutting plans
• Increased efficiency, reduced cost and better
customer experience

13. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach - Capture

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New Approach - Capture

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New Approach - Capture

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New Approach - Capture

17. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach - Capture
• Rapid acquisition
• High specification instruments
• Reliable positional accuracy
• High point density (high detail)
• Wide area allowing entire network to be assessed

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New Approach - Analysis
Software - ArcGIS
• Huge datasets requiring stable platforms
• Significant processing power
• Intuitive and robust analysis tools
• Compatibility for continuity
• Easy visualisation in 3D

19. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach - Analysis
Classification
• Conductors
• Towers/Poles
• Vegetation
• Other structures

20. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach - Analysis
Classification
• Conductors
• Towers/Poles
• Vegetation
• Other structures

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New Approach - Analysis
Filtering
• Conductors
• Vegetation within 6m

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New Approach - Analysis

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New Approach - Analysis
Distances
• Points are attributed
and classified into risk
categories

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New Approach - Analysis
Distances
• Attributed points
snapped to 2D lines in
segments
• Statistical analysis
undertaken to determine
risk category for each
conductor

25. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
New Approach - Analysis

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New Approach – Visualisation
• Interactive 3D viewer
• Hosted / Streamed content
• Intuitive UI
• Ability to customise
• Multiplatform

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New Approach – Visualisation

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New Approach – Visualisation

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New Approach – Visualisation

30. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
• Risk based work programme
• Prioritised tree cutting by the threat of
vegetation and the number of customers that
would be affected by a tree related outage
• Huge savings through intelligent planning
Outcomes

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32. I n n o v a t i v e a n d a f f o r d a b l e G I S a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l d a t a a t y o u r f i n g e r t i p s
• DNOs are under severe pressure from the
regulator
• Vegetation cutting plans need to be more
‘intelligent’
• Proactivity rather than reactivity
• A brighter future!
Conclusions