Avangrid has launched a new initiative focused on using data analytics to prioritize proactive tree maintenance, through a method that analyzes potential impact, historical reliability and risk.
This method is being piloted at Avangrid’s New York subsidiaries New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), and Avangrid said it has already delivered “significant benefits” to customers.
“We’re always looking to innovative our tree maintenance programs because trees are a leading cause of outages for our customers,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Launching this data-driven method has evolved our approach and created many efficiencies, particularly when it comes to danger trees. These dead or decaying trees are outside of the distribution right-of-way but still pose a significant threat to the power grid. Our new prioritization method has resulted in us removing more danger trees in a month than ever before, and at a cheaper cost. This will substantially benefit our customers’ reliability, especially as are in the height of the summer storm season. I’d like to thank the New York Public Service Commission for its support of our vegetation management programs and for recognizing the value they are delivering to our customers.”
NYSEG and RG&E operate approximately 42,800 combined miles of overhead electric lines across upstate New York, which Avangrid said translates to more than 10,600 danger trees posing an immediate risk to customers. Historically, NYSEG and RG&E have addressed danger trees based on imminent risk identified by customer calls, worst performing circuit reports or the local arborist’s maintenance plans.
This new data-driven approach aims to improve on this method by using data analysis. The system analyzes critical data points such as historical performance of the line, the number of customers served by the line, the number of high-risk trees and the type of protectant on the line (bare or covered) to determine a level of priority for removing the danger tree. NYSEG and RG&E arborists then create a work plan based on these priorities.
“This approach has been a game changer,” said Erin Perry, manager of Vegetation Management at NYSEG. “With all our data pulled together into one system, I can look at our service area map and see not only where the danger trees are located, but also their risk to our customers. I’m pleased with the efficiency this has created and how it has resulted in improved reliability for our customers.”
This year, Avangrid’s subsidiaries have been exploring other digital solutions for some of the modern issues utilities face today.
Earlier this month, Avangrid and its subsidiaries NYSEG and RG&E announced the installation of more than 700,000 smart meters for electric and natural gas customers statewide. Upgrades are currently focused on seven NYSEG and RG&E divisions including Ithaca, Rochester, Brewster, Sodus, Binghamton, Canandaigua, Lancaster, and Hornell, as well as for new builds and meter replacements in other parts of the state.
NYSEG and RG&E have committed to installing more than 1.3 million electric smart meters and adding 600,000 natural gas modules for customers in 17 NYSEG and RG&E divisions statewide. Smart meter upgrades will continue throughout the companies’ service areas over the next two years.
In June, Avangrid began rolling out an artificial intelligence assistant for customer service at its utilities in New York, Maine, and Connecticut. The AI pilot program is now available at New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) in New York and will be rolling out to Central Maine Power and United Illuminating customers later this year.
The AI assistant, named Ava, will be focused on answering commonly asked questions for inquiries surrounding bill balance, bill delays, payment arrangement or budget billing, meter reading, understanding your bill, the service start or end process, power outage support, and MyAccount assistance. The goal is to provide customers with an avenue to receive quick answers while also decreasing wait times for the company’s call center for customers with more complex questions or situations.
