Drone and AI Applications for Major Storm Events
Industry leaders from Duke Energy will highlight the role of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing storm preparedness, response, and recovery. The seminar will provide insights into leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve resilience and operational efficiency during major storm events.
Key Topics:
1. Pre-Landfall Applications
2. Post-Landfall Applications
3. AI-Enhanced Utility Applications
4. Technological Overview
5. Case Studies and Best Practices
6. Demonstrations
AI Applications:
For utilities utilizing drone and field imagery for line inspections, this presentation will detail the automatization of asset and deficiency detection with computer vision strategies that improve accuracy and reduce development time. Deployment of these strategies can be performed in real-time while in flight or in batch-processing. The mapping of results onto a GIS-enabled map with matches to utility asset IDs is in its final stages. Demonstration videos will be shown.
4 CEH credits are available for this seminar.
**Lunch and refreshments provided by BridgeSource Utilities Solutions**
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
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- Tampa Electric Company
- 820 S 78th St
- Tampa, Florida
- United States 33619
- Building: ECC
- Contact Event Hosts
- Co-sponsored by BridgeSource Utilities Solutions
- Starts 08 February 2025 05:00 AM UTC
- Ends 16 May 2025 10:30 PM UTC
- Admission fee ?
Speakers
R30517 - Florida West Coast Section
Biography:
Todd Fountain - Todd is the General Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Regional Incident Commander for Duke Energy Florida, with over 33 years of experience in the energy industry. Throughout his career, Todd has held a variety of leadership positions, including Journeyman Lineman, Director of the Distribution Control Center, and Director of Vegetation Management, before stepping into his current role. In his tenure, Todd has played a critical role in emergency response, leading teams throughout numerous storm events, from Hurricane Andrew to the most recent Hurricane Milton. His extensive expertise in operational management, storm restoration, and emergency preparedness has been key to ensuring the resilience and safety of Duke Energy’s resources and infrastructure. Todd is committed to advancing emergency preparedness strategies and continually enhancing Duke Energy’s response capabilities in the face of natural disasters and grid threats.
Jackson Rollins - Jackson is the Director of Unmanned Aerial Systems within the Aviation Department at Duke Energy. He has been with Duke Energy for 10 years with roles in Project Management and Aviation. Prior to joining Duke Energy, Jackson worked in the nuclear power industry as an engineer and construction/project manager on large component replacement projects across the US. Jackson leads a team of 40-50 pilots internal to Duke Energy and is responsible for governance of drone usage and vendor engagement across the enterprise. His team deploys to affected areas after a major storm and assists the T&D organization, Generation, and Corporate Communication with aerial assets.
Sacha C. Fontaine, P.E. - Sacha is a leader in the power, utilities, and renewables sector with over two decades of industry-forming experience. As Head of Utility AI Strategy at the renowned SAS Institute, Sacha is passionate about developing and delivering innovative AI solutions that tackle the complex challenges faced by utilities. Driven by the belief that AI can help create a better world, Sacha brings a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences from his previous roles at industry giants like Duke Energy, GE, and Siemens. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and an active senior member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society. Sacha is passionate about automation through AI, clean energy and STEM education.
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