How Satellites Can Help Utilities with Disaster Management

Rapid response time is crucial during disasters, and satellites offer real-time data for restoration teams to dispatch aid to high-priority sectors. These satellites gather various data types for mapping, imaging, and remote sensing, including optical, LiDAR, radar, and SAR.

Fremont, CA: The utility sector faces significant impacts during natural disasters, including asset damages, restoration costs, revenue losses, wasted capital expenditure, and liability costs. The electric grid and underground lines are interdependent, requiring advanced risk mitigation strategies to address the evolving landscape. Recent advancements in satellite technology have made it possible to use various high-resolution, multispectral imaging techniques to deliver accurate and trustworthy data. Here is how satellite technology aids in disaster management:

Accuracy and accessibility of data in close to real-time

Rapid response time is crucial during disasters, and satellites offer real-time data for restoration teams to dispatch aid to high-priority sectors. These satellites gather various data types for mapping, imaging, and remote sensing, including optical, LiDAR, radar, and SAR. Utilities can use this data to make informed decisions and derive accurate information about the situation on the ground.

Ongoing surveillance and risk assessment

Satellites continuously monitor wildfires, leakages, and faulty assets for risk identification and control. Utilities can use satellite data to identify areas of interest, such as distributed assets, vegetation growth, gas emissions, air quality, and disaster paths, to identify high-risk areas and respond promptly to disasters.

Independent data for the weather and the terrain

Satellites above Earth's atmosphere provide up-to-date macro information during natural disasters, enabling advanced analysis techniques like AI and ML. SAR technology, independent of light, weather, or cloud cover, provides continuous data, detecting changes in water and moisture levels, habitat impacts, and Earth's surface after natural disasters like earthquakes or sinkhole openings. This highly accurate technology is crucial in understanding the effects of natural disasters and ensuring the safety of Earth's inhabitants.

Information that is intelligent and predictive using AI

Satellite data combined with predictive analytics and AI offers actionable insights for weather forecasting, flood monitoring, wildfire mapping, earthquake response, and cyclone preparation. AI models rank data by key metrics, enabling analysis and training to quickly plan, prepare, and respond to weather events and disasters.

Planning and estimates for responding to disasters

Satellites offer accurate disaster prediction and assessment, enabling utilities to quickly and accurately calculate damage estimations. High-resolution satellite imagery helps determine access routes and damage estimates and plan recovery activities efficiently. It also helps identify debris types, enabling the deployment of appropriate equipment.

Identifying regional natural threats

Geographical regions are susceptible to various weather events and disasters—satellite data and AI aid in predicting prone areas, assessing disaster intensity, and planning assets. Remote sensing technologies create digital surface models, while thermal bands study land terrains, temperatures, air quality, and emissions. These technologies enable utilities to identify risks, formulate plans, and equip regional teams for grid hardening, disaster preparedness, and saving time during restoration.