Methodology for prioritizing tree pruning in power grids

This paper, developed within the scope of ANEEL's Research, Development and Innovation projects, presents a methodology for prioritizing tree pruning in power grids, aiming at increasing system reliability and reducing damage caused by vegetation contact with energized grids. The approach uses remote sensing technologies to extract critical parameters from vegetation images. Preliminary results presented the correlation between the automated methodology and human analysis of the results, seeking to increase the assertiveness of identifying areas with critical growth for grid reliability. The methodology in progress will represent a significant advance in vegetation management in power grids, promoting automation, efficiency and decision-making capacity based on objective data. It is a solution aligned with business rules of an energy distribution utility, able of reducing operational risks and optimizing resource allocation for preventive control of the vegetation.