VIDEO: CMP Using New Tools in Helicopter Inspections
AUGUSTA, ME — June 15, 2023 — As part of its twice-yearly transmission line inspections, Central Maine Power (CMP) is utilizing a new device to better ensure grid reliability for customers. This month, a mount that detects stray voltages, also known as “corona,” is being affixed on helicopters contracted to conduct our inspections. Previously at CMP, this device had only been utilized in trials.
“This capability expands what we can do with these inspections which help us prevent outages and better identify specific areas to perform maintenance,” said Adam Desrosiers, Vice President of Electric Operations for Central Maine Power. “Inspecting our transmission lines from the ground on foot or by snowmobile would take an extremely long time, which ultimately would cost ratepayers more than performing helicopter surveys.”
Twice each year, a CMP transmission line inspector performs specialized searches for irregularities on 3,000 miles of our infrastructure.
Below is a link to downloadable video hosted on Vimeo from CMP of inspections this spring. Media outlets have rights-free permission to use the included video/images and do not have to credit CMP when publishing the video/images.
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About Central Maine Power: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 646,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure. For more information, visit cmpco.com.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit avangrid.com.