BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Spatial, Inc. (QSI), the nation’s largest independent geospatial data firm, will discuss the significant impact that remote sensing can have on reducing outage risks for electric distribution networks caused by vegetation at the CEATI International 2018 Vegetation Management Conference. Jennifer Whitacre, GISP, director of Strategic Accounts for Quantum Spatial, and Eric Brown, program manager for Transmission and Distribution at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), will deliver a presentation entitled “Integrated Remote Sensing for Distribution Vegetation Management” during the event, on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:30 pm at the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina Hotel.
“With drought conditions plaguing the West Coast, utilities are seeking strategies to ensure the reliability and safety of their distribution networks by mitigating vegetation impact on critical infrastructure,” Whitacre said. “Working with remote survey data from QSI, SMUD has been able to quickly identify areas of concern, and take action to trim or remove trees that could potentially put its network at risk.”
The presentation will provide details about the LIDAR and hyperspectral data surveys QSI conducted over SMUD’s 900-square-mile 69 kV and 12 kV distribution network during the course of 10 days. QSI also will highlight the results of the complete vegetation management data set it provided starting five weeks after the survey. The hyperspectral imaging data focused on identifying palm trees, which were used for a species-based patrol.
“QSI's remote sensing and data analytics solutions provide SMUD with unbiased tools that enable us to visualize, forecast, plan and budget effectively for pending environmental and weather events," said Brown. "By identifying problematic palm trees, we were able to prioritize our vegetation management activities, and immediately send our teams to trim or cut down those trees that could impact our network."
During the presentation, CEATI attendees also can learn more about the project QSI completed for SMUD, and how remote sensing can reduce risk related to vegetation encroachments; improve public, employee, and contractor safety, as well as electric regulatory compliance and reliability; improve patrol (inspection) efficiency; spatially rectify electric assets; and identify specific tree species and health of vegetation.
Visit QSI at Booth 11 during the CEATI conference for demonstrations of the company’s remote sensing and data analytics solutions, and discover how they are being leveraged in the utility market.
About Quantum Spatial, Inc.
Quantum Spatial, Inc., (QSI) the nation’s largest independent geospatial data firm, provides geographic insights to the largest government and corporate organizations that need geospatial intelligence to mitigate risk, plan for growth, better manage resources and advance scientific understanding. A pioneer in advanced mapping technology, QSI’s end-to-end solutions and services deliver the industry’s highest data quality and accuracy, while leveraging the widest array of technologies for analyzing all types of terrains. Customers use the company’s acquisition, processing, analytics and visualization solutions in a range of technical and scientific disciplines – from geology and biology, to hydrology, forestry and civil engineering. Utilities, oil and gas producers, engineering and construction firms, as well as the military and major government agencies, are QSI customers. QSI has multiple offices around the country. For more information visit quantumspatial.com, join us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @QuantumSpatial.