Duke Energy begins pilot program to protect birds from power lines

 Duke Energy Florida has started a pilot program featuring a power line design that minimizes risks to birds.
The company began the avian pilot program, which is currently being deployed on approximately 50 miles of distribution lines in Polk County, Fla., following an extensive data analysis.
The avian pilot program is part of more than $500 million in system upgrades and improvements Duke Energy Florida is making this year to improve service and protect wildlife.
Duke Energy Florida has been building new lines and retrofitting structures based on a comprehensive avian protection plan that’s been in place since 2009. 
Through the new avian pilot program, however, the company is proactively targeting full lengths of power lines that were constructed before 2011 and others that may have a greater risk to birds, such as lines that are close to fish farms.
The improvements range from rebuilding the horizontal power lines to be vertical or stacked, to replacing poles to achieve adequate spacing.
The redesigned elements will help prevent birds from getting in between lines and from perching and building nests on electrical lines and poles.
The changes will also help strengthen the grid and improve service and reliability.

The power line design and building processes are based on recommendations from the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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