Transmission and distribution work runs on good data, and it usually needs it fast. Abraham Land Surveying flies drone LiDAR for utility corridors, substations and stations across South Carolina, and we deliver it in days, not weeks.
We already do a lot of this. We fly drone LiDAR regularly for Santee Cooper’s transmission department, including a roughly 8,300-linear-foot corridor and station aerials (read the case study). We know what transmission teams need to see, and we know how to get it to them without holding up the schedule.
Utilities we work with: We work for utilities of every size: a small municipal utility (the City of Newberry), a state-sized utility (Santee Cooper) and a multi-state utility (Dominion Energy). Whether your system is one town or several states, we can fit your schedule.
What we capture
- Transmission and distribution corridors. Long, narrow routes flown efficiently, with up to 1,000 acres covered in a day.
- Poles and wires. Structures and lines show up in the point cloud, so your team can see the corridor as it really is.
- Vegetation along the line. Trees and brush are captured too, so you can review the corridor without walking every span.
- Substations and generation stations. Aerials and LiDAR of station sites for planning, upgrades and records.
Deliverables for utility teams
- Classified point clouds of the corridor (LAS or LAZ)
- CAD contours and surfaces along the corridor (DWG)
- Station and substation aerials
Why utilities call us
We’ve been surveying all of South Carolina since 1982. Our licensed surveyors check the data before it goes out the door, and we use the latest, greatest Trimble, Leica and Carlson equipment and software. When you call, you’ll talk to the people doing the work. Need Blue UAS or NDAA-compliant equipment? For projects that require it, we deploy compliant aircraft.
Corridor lengths change and schedules move. Send us the route as a KML and you’ll have a quote within 24 hours. Typical turnaround after the flight is 3–5 business days, depending on the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides drone LiDAR for electric utilities in South Carolina?
Abraham Land Surveying flies drone LiDAR for transmission and distribution corridors, substations and stations statewide, for utilities of varying sizes and scopes, from generation to transmission to delivery, including, for example, Santee Cooper, Dominion Energy and the City of Newberry.
What does drone LiDAR capture on a transmission corridor?
Poles, wires and vegetation along the line all appear in the point cloud, so your team can review the corridor as it really is without walking every span.
How fast can a utility get corridor LiDAR data?
Days, not weeks: typical turnaround after the flight is 3-5 business days, depending on the product, and we cover up to 1,000 acres a day.
What deliverables do utilities receive?
Classified point clouds of the corridor (LAS or LAZ), CAD contours and surfaces along the corridor (DWG), and station and substation aerials. Customers frequently pull our point clouds into PLS-CADD to work with them.
Do you use Blue/NDAA compliant aircraft for utility work?
For projects that require it, we deploy compliant aircraft.
How do I get a quote for a utility corridor?
Send us the route as a KML and you’ll have a quote within 24 hours. Estimates are always free.
Have a corridor or station on the schedule?
Get a free estimate for your route. Send us your KML or boundary and we’ll quote within 24 hours. Estimates are always free.
Related: Drone LiDAR Surveys · Santee Cooper case study · Topographic Surveys