Automated Vegetation Management System for Electric Utilities

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Patent Application Number 20250316969, filed on June 19, 2025, and made available online on October 9, 2025, presents an innovative solution for electric utilities to proactively manage vegetation near power lines. The patented system, developed by Victoria Neuenschwander and Ann Perreault, utilizes analytics, weather patterns, and regional vegetation growth models to predict and prevent power line encroachments by vegetation. This approach enables utilities to reduce operational expenses, improve safety, and enhance the reliability of electricity distribution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The automated vegetation management system combines vegetative growth prediction models with weather models and visual imagery of vegetation around power lines to predict future encroachment locations.
  • The system identifies specific types of vegetation and their locations relative to power lines, allowing for targeted maintenance.
  • The 3D vegetation growth model generates a predicted timing of encroachment, enabling utilities to schedule proactive maintenance.
  • The system includes a scheduler to allocate tasks based on priority, ensuring timely and effective vegetation management.
  • The patented system can be used with various types of images, including satellite imagery, UAV imagery, and drone inspection footage.
  • The system's algorithms analyze images to identify optimal locations for maintenance, reducing the risk of power outages and associated public safety hazards.

Statistics:

  • The patented system can reduce operational expenses for electric utilities by identifying areas with high vegetation growth rates.
  • The system can improve safety by predicting and preventing power line encroachments, reducing the risk of downed power lines and associated public safety hazards.
  • The 3D vegetation growth model can generate a predicted timing of encroachment with an accuracy of [X%] (to be determined).
  • The system can be used with various types of images, including satellite imagery, UAV imagery, and drone inspection footage.

Sources:

  • Neuenschwander, Victoria; Perreault, Ann. Automated Vegetation Management System. U.S. Patent Application Number 20250316969, filed June 19, 2025 and posted October 9, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(20250316969)&db=US-PGPUB&type=ids