SA Power Networks using drones to fix lines downed in Kangaroo Island bushfires

Drones are the new workhorses of the sky, including being used to string up powerlines in the wake of the Kangaroo Island bushfires. Watch the drones in action here.

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Safer and quicker restringing of electricity power lines damaged in the Kangaroo Island bushfires is being done by drones.

With firegrounds still unsafe because of the potential for burnt trees to fall, drones have carried winch lines between power poles.

“SA Power Networks’ has been building its drone capability for wider use of drones in outage response work, particularly in regional areas of the State,” spokesman Paul Roberts said.

“Drones are not suitable in all situations but in work like this they offer a safer, cheaper and less disturbing option for re-stringing long sections of line, particularly in more difficult terrain.”

Previously, helicopters would have been used in addition to ground crews.

“However, helicopters can disturb livestock and wildlife and create turbulence and raise significant dust when close to the ground making for more hazardous conditions for ground crews involved in the re-stringing operation,” Mr Roberts said.

The drones can carry a payload of up to 150kg and dragged a winch line which enabled crews to pull through a 19,000 volt powerline.

They also have been used for rapid assessment and mapping.

Areas covered on KI included deep gullies at Kohinoor Hill (west of Cygnet River) and Flinders Chase near Cape du Couedic.

Australian Energy Council chief executive Sarah McNamara and Energy Networks Australia chief executive Andrew Dillon said the industry was focussed on supporting communities to recover as quickly as possible.

“Networks have restored power to thousands of people and have deployed generators to as many homes and businesses as possible where power reconnection has been delayed,” Mr Dillon said.

Retailers and networks are also offering financial relief.