The T&D World Line Life Podcast just released Amy Fischabch’s story on Ameren’s Avian Protection plan and the Power Line Sentry Hawk Eye TM Bird Flight Diverters!
For an exceptional explanation on avian protection and much more by Ameren’s supervising engineer Kurt Rakers listen here. Key points from the podcast include:
- How avian protection is directly correlated to electrical resiliency for customers
- Why the Hawk EyeTM Bird Flight Diverter’s 360-degree/24-hour visibility shape/design provides the most contrast and was chosen as the most effective line marker for this high risk area home to 60-80 nesting bald eagles
- Why the LineFlyTM robot and drone combo was chosen as the quickest, safest, and most effective method for marking these lines
The LineFly TM installation of Hawk Eye TM Bird Flight Diverters at the Bagnall Dam at the Lake of the Ozarks was first published online – for pictures and to read the full story click here.
Our original recap, for reference:
“Because the birds’ risk of collision increases in low light, reflective and glow-in-the-dark materials were vital,” Rakers said. “We used Hawk Eye Bird Flight Diverters that glow-in-the-dark, are reflective, and have 360-degree visibility. These high-visibility line markers prevent high speed collisions by providing time and distance for the bird to divert from that power line.”
This contrast can be achieved through surface area, texture, brightness, reflection and glow, he adds.
“As these birds are utilizing the river, they are not paying attention to their path of travel,” Rakers said. “They have feeding on their minds at that point in time, and these catch their eye.”
- Line markers: 300 Power Line Sentry Hawk EyeTM Bird Flight Diverters, rated for systems <345
- Utility: Ameren Energy
- Location: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – over the Osage River and around the Bagnall Dam
- Installation: October 2022
- Installation method: LineFly Robot, positioned onto the conductor using a drone, service provided by FulcrumAir