A helicopter photographs Oulu's district heating and electricity networks 6–9 November 2021
Oulun Energia Oy and Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy ensure the security of supply of district heating and the electricity network by photographing the district heating and electricity networks from a helicopter on 6–8 November 2021
The entire district heating network area is photographed with a thermal camera. Thermal imaging is used to investigate differences in ground temperature to locate possible thermal leakage and insulation damage. The total length of Oulun Energia's district heating network is about 850 kilometres, and it covers Oulu and the surrounding areas of Haukipudas, Jääli, Kiiminki, and Oulunsalo.
Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy inspects the 20 and 110 kV electricity overhead lines in the Oulu, Kiiminki, Sanginjoki, and Pikkarala areas. The purpose of the inspection is to identify and remove any insulation defects and falling trees that may compromise the security of electricity supply before they cause a disruption of distribution.
Electricity networks are photographed during the day by flying near the power line at the height of the treetops. The district heating network, on the other hand, is photographed after sunset, when the ground is at a constant temperature and there is little traffic on the streets. At that time, the helicopter flies at an altitude of about 200–300 metres and photographs the heating network area in strips about 200 metres wide. If necessary, the photographing will be continued later.
Flights and photographing are handled by GridJet Oy.
Oulun Energia Oy and Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy apologise for any noise caused by the helicopter flights.
Attached is an image of the electricity network scanning area as a map.