As climate patterns evolve and demand on utility systems increases, utility companies must learn from past experiences and integrate advanced tools and technology into their operations. This integration is crucial for improving system resilience against unpredictable and increasingly severe weather conditions of today.

In New Zealand, Powerco stands as the largest dual-energy distributor by network length, owning and operating over 28,000 km of electricity lines and over 6,000 km of gas pipes electricity. 

Recognizing the importance of this responsibility, Powerco decided to enhance its inspection protocols. This enhancement began over 5 years ago, with the introduction of a LiDAR-generated digital twin of their network, aimed at accurately assessing the environmental risks to their infrastructure. Concurrently, Powerco implemented a comprehensive inspection strategy utilizing autonomous image capture for all their structures to proactively identify and rapidly mitigate any potential hazards associated with their equipment.

This proactive approach to improving their operational processes has not only enabled Powerco to more effectively manage imminent risks but has also increased its operational transparency and strengthened longer-term strategies.

This presentation aims to explore the journey and insights gained throughout this five-year period of technological adaptation and system hardening.