Endesa reinforces the protection of forests and the maintenance of the network for the summer with an investment of 71.5 million euros

• This represents an increase of 21% compared to 2023
• Endesa's grid subsidiary, e-distribución, uses helicopters, drones and a range of technological devices to carry out thermographic checks, on-site inspections and selective pruning
• The use of LIDAR technology for laser scanning of high-voltage lines has become established, allowing for the creation of a 3D model of electrical infrastructure and the surrounding forested areas

Endesa, through its grid subsidiary, e-distribución, will spend 71.5 million euros this year on infrastructure inspection, grid improvements and selective pruning work with the dual aim of ensuring continuity of supply and reducing the risk of fires, especially in the summer period. Investment in the 2024 Summer Campaign has increased by 21% compared with the previous year and is focused on cleaning and caring for the forested areas around the electricity grid in a year when the drought suffered by some areas of Spain requires protective measures to be stepped up.

"We use helicopters, drones, LIDAR technology, thermography and the latest advances to undertake inspections and preventive maintenance on the network and undertake selective pruning tasks that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and minimising the risk of incidents," says José Manuel Revuelta, Endesa's General Manager of Networks.

Control and clearing of vegetation

Of the more than 319.000 kilometres of power lines managed by Endesa in Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and part of Extremadura, 59% are aerial and a significant part runs through wooded or vegetated areas. 

One of the key tasks in these areas is the selective pruning of the forested area that grows around power lines, respecting the space stipulated by the regulatory authorities between the plant species and the nearest cables. These works are both horizontal and vertical and are carried out following the criteria established by the authorities and in partnership with the agents in each area (Rural Guards, firefighters and local authorities...). This year, Endesa will allocate nearly 19 million euros to this work.

Every three years, e-distribución contracts the felling and pruning activity to various companies that carry out this work in the autumn and winter months so that the lines and their surroundings are ready for the summer, when the risk of fires increases. The creation of corridors beneath power lines that act as natural firebreaks is an essential task, with new elements added every year to facilitate the tasks: remote-controlled brush-cutting machinery, helmets with multiple safety features - hearing protection, simultaneous connection of several people remotely and hands-free communication - and a heat stroke prevention bracelet that monitors the wearer's temperature, humidity, and heart rate, and alerts the wearer to stop work immediately in a risk situation.

Selective pruning work around the e-distribution lines employs more than 2,000 people a year, most of them from the surrounding area, thus contributing to local development.  In addition, work is being done on the design of specialised training, with the creation of a new title of cutting specialist and pruning around power lines, with a particular focus on safety-related aspects

LIDAR Technology

Another key task is the laser scanning of high-voltage overhead lines with a combination of GPS technology and laser sensors, called LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). This system creates a computer file with a cloud of georeferenced points that uses an application to enable the measurement of the distances between the cables and the vegetation, as well as to conduct studies of growth of the forested area, which provides very useful information when planning vegetation control work. LIDAR technology, which is also used by drones, is also very useful for the preventive maintenance of infrastructure by enabling the rapid detection of defects.s.

Use of helicopters: thermal imaging and HD videos

As part of its maintenance programmes, the company conducts inspections with helicopters equipped with thermal imaging and high-definition cameras that enable detailed inspection of the infrastructure and the surrounding environment. The information received is processed using machine learning or deep learning techniques and added to a large database that enables the most common problems to be identified.

Thermography involves flying over power lines with a helicopter equipped with an infrared camera, which records the cable and detects whether there is a hot spot (with a temperature higher than that of the cable itself, that is, with a risk of overheating). This is impossible to detect with the naked eye and it can indicate a malfunction of the wiring. When an anomaly such as a "hot spot" is detected, the coordinates are recorded and a mechanism is automatically activated so it can be remedied quickly. This predictive, preventative maintenance programme helps avoid possible future incidents.

Thermographic inspections are not only conducted by helicopter, but also complemented by aerial eye checks at the foot of the line.

In total, the investment dedicated to these revisions amounts to 6.7 million euros.

Use of drones and visual inspections

Endesa also uses drones to check the status of the electricity grid. These are equipped with gyroscopically stabilised high-resolution cameras that enable images of the lines to be captured, especially at points of difficult access, without needing to interrupt the service to customers. A drone with LIDAR technology has been added to those with standard technology: Those with conventional optics and devices that also undertake thermography.

Drones make it possible to speed up visual inspections since there is no need to schedule a power outage for technicians to examine the infrastructure, which improves service continuity, and at the same time provides more security.

E-distribución has also started using them to verify the width of the corridors and safety paths that pass under and beside the line and that act as firewalls and can perform aerial surveys of the terrain in case of an emergency.

Network improvements and new technologies

One of the key factors for the proper functioning of the electricity system is the improvement of the grid. Every year the company invests in new technologies such as the application or processing of information by means of machine and/or deep learning, as well as in the renovation of existing infrastructure in order to avoid variations and incidents in the continuity of supply. Special attention is paid to low-voltage lines (replacing conventional cables with twisted cables), the medium-voltage grid, and reinforcing connectors, insulators, lightning conductors and other protective devices. In addition, thorough reviews of all facilities are carried out.

This year, around €46 million will be allocated to these improvements.

About Endesa

Endesa is a leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. It undertakes end-to-end business including the generation, distribution and retailing of electricity. It also offers, through Endesa X, value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy uses in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations, including electric mobility, where it is one of the main operators of charging stations in Spain. Endesa is firmly committed to the  United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribución, and Corporate Social Responsibility. The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel, Europe's largest electricity group.