Vermont Electric Cooperative to Deploy Drones for Inspections in June 2025

In a significant step for utility management, Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) will expand its inspection program utilizing drones across northern Vermont in June 2025, covering over half of its service territory. This initiative, aims to enhance grid reliability and safety while reducing operational costs through advanced aerial technology, reports WFFF.

Scaling Up Its Operations with Drones

VEC, serving over 33,000 members, has partnered with Firmatek, a specialized drone contractor, to conduct these inspections. The cooperative has already utilized drones for tasks like post-disaster assessments, saving an estimated $50,000 to $60,000 annually.

The upcoming program will deploy drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors to perform detailed visual inspections of power lines, poles, and other infrastructure. These drones, typically smaller than 2 feet across, allow for agile deployment and systematic flights that capture images from multiple angles, improving the detection of equipment damage and vegetation encroachment.

VEC chief operating officer Peter Rossi highlighted the efficiency gains during a March 2025 web presentation: “Instead of having to have a damage assessor and walk all those lines… we can cover a lot of ground in a very short amount of time.”

However, operations supervisor Shawn Juaire noted limitations, stating, “In a storm event, right, you’re not going to fly them. In a 40 mile an hour wind or more.” Drones will complement rather than replace traditional methods, as VEC indicated they would not deploy helicopters in such conditions either.

Benefits for Grid Reliability and Safety

The drone program supports multiple functions critical to VEC’s operations. Beyond inspections, the technology aids in asset management by providing aerial imagery for precise equipment inventories, emergency response through rapid storm damage assessments, and vegetation management to mitigate outage risks from tree contact. The data collected also integrates with AI and machine learning tools from software provider Rhizome, enabling VEC to identify vulnerable grid points and prioritize maintenance.

Safety improvements are a key focus. Drone inspections reduce the need for personnel to work in hazardous conditions, such as climbing poles or flying in manned aircraft. This aligns with VEC’s broader mission to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable energy services while adapting to severe weather and increasing grid demands.

Regulatory Compliance and Industry Trends

VEC ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, conducting flights in a privacy-conscious manner. The cooperative emphasized that drones will focus strictly on VEC assets, operating over rights-of-way and publicly accessible areas.

To foster transparency, VEC has engaged its members through webinars, including the March 2025 session, where the technology’s benefits were discussed. The full list of towns slated for June inspections is available on the VEC website, encouraging community awareness.

By integrating aerial data with AI analytics, VEC is positioning itself at the forefront of grid modernization, potentially setting a model for other cooperatives. As drone technology continues to improve, VEC anticipates further advancements in operational efficiency, though challenges like weather limitations highlight the need for ongoing innovation. For drone professionals and utility operators, this program underscores the transformative potential of aerial inspections in enhancing grid resilience and safety.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo and Vermont Electric Cooperative