2026 Event Schedule

PG&E is fundamentally transforming its wildfire mitigation strategy by implementing a scalable, programmatic aerial inspection program that utilizes drones, high-resolution imagery, and advanced data analytics to significantly improve the accuracy, speed, and safety of inspecting its transmission, distribution, and substation assets. This presentation will explore how the integration of aerial inspection and workflow automation enables more effective inspection processes and proactive risk detection, offering real-world insights into implementation challenges and key lessons learned while highlighting measurable benefits such as enhanced reliability and improved asset performance. Attendees will understand the advantages of programmatic aerial data collection and automation for asset health, gain insight into the specific tools and processes that allowed PG&E to scale its drone program across its vast utility network, and explore how the collected inspection data is transformed into actionable analytics to support overall grid resilience.

This session is part of the Wildfire Risk Mitigation & Vegetation Management Symposium.