Drones to Inspect Nashua Power Lines

NASHUA, NH — Eversource will launch drones in Nashua Thursday to inspect power lines—a first in New Hampshire.

The inspections will be held Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the Bridge Street substation. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the flights. Pembroke-based JBI Helicopter Services will operate the drones.

"Conducting inspections using drones holds great promise as a less intrusive, more detailed inspection than is achieved using a helicopter," said Joe Purington, Eversource's vice president of electric operations, in a statement. "The region's transmission system is the backbone of the electric grid. Overhead inspections of transmission lines and equipment—often located upwards of 100 feet in the air—help engineers detect potential problems in advance, allowing the company to schedule necessary maintenance and upgrades before reliability issues arise."

Eversource has used drones in in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The FAA this year instituted new rules for drone operators.

Photo: Andrew Turner/Flickr