New capabilities enable utilities to automate operations and implement end-to-end vegetation management workflows with real-time insights
AiDash, a leading provider of utility vegetation management and other satellite and AI-powered operations, maintenance, and sustainability solutions, has launched Intelligent Vegetation Management System (IVMS) 2.0. The SatelliteVisionTM and VegetationAITM powered software offers new capabilities for utilities of all sizes to transform vegetation management operations, allowing them to make more informed decisions, create optimized work plans for field execution, reduce customer interruptions, and mitigate storm and wildfire risks in one SaaS application.TEST
Vegetation management can be costly and ineffective for utilities that don’t utilize modern tools and processes to run their programs. In 2022, utilities spent $24.2 billion on vegetation management, often the single largest line item in their operations and maintenance budgets. That spend is expected to reach $39.2 billion by 2029.
In combination with AiDash’s Disaster and Disruption Management System (DDMS), IVMS 2.0 helps utilities forecast storm and wildfire outages and damages, as well as build climate resilience. It identifies risks, advises on necessary mitigation, predicts when and where wildfires will occur and how they will spread to inform resource deployment, and speeds up recovery and restoration by prioritizing scouting tasks and reducing assessment times.
Considering the recent surge in severe wildfires in both the US and Europe, such technological solutions are timely and critical. In the next three years in the U.S. alone AiDash projects it can prevent 195 deaths, and an estimated $1.7 billion in economic losses while protecting 248,250 acres of land, the equivalent of 188,000 American football fields.
With the introduction of AiDash IVMS 2.0, the company has firmly established itself as a leader and innovator in the vegetation management software category, continuing to deliver what utilities need to optimize vegetation management programs. IVMS 2.0 uses four key technologies to enhance utility operations in an integrated, efficient, and data-driven manner. Currently in pre-production, it is scheduled for a general release in Q4 2023.
“As extreme weather intensifies, utilities are facing more challenges with grid resiliency, fixed cycle manual inspections, and flat-to-declining budgets,” comments Abhishek Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of AiDash. “AiDash is driving innovation to address these challenges and bring more intelligence to traditional vegetation management. Utilities can now use an all-in-one software application to ensure vegetation management operations are as efficient as possible, without needing multiple tools.”
“Our initial work with IVMS 2.0 has allowed us to optimize our VM workflows,” says Avista Asset Maintenance Manager, Heather Webster. “We will soon be able to analyze, plan, and execute our work plans from a single platform, which now includes the new field application. And we’ve been very impressed with the level of service and support AiDash provides with the product as well.”
“As our industry deals with increased costs, we need to become more data-driven and look for operational efficiencies,” says Heath Williams, Senior Analyst of Vegetation Management for Entergy. “With this intelligent approach to vegetation management, we are able to streamline work management processes, predict areas of future impact, and allow access to data in the field.”
