A new year brings a new tool to improve reliability.
“This year, we’re deploying an innovative fixed-wing drone with a 12-foot wingspan —the largest in our fleet — to inspect vegetation along the power lines that bring electricity to homes and businesses,” AEP Ohio Project Manager Principal Jake Reed said. “What sets this drone apart is its high-resolution camera and lidar sensors.”
Those lidar — which is short for light detection and ranging — sensors are key. They allow AEP Ohio’s Center for Customer Reliability to collect detailed data that helps identify vegetation — down to a single tree branch — that may be too close to equipment and needs trimming to prevent future outages.
“It’s all about improving reliability for our customers,” Reed said. “No one likes to be without power. Even a brief interruption is frustrating, and this technology helps prevent outages before they happen. Our customers depend on us to deliver safe, reliable power.”
Only specially trained pilots can operate the fixed-wing drone. AEP Ohio’s certified drone pilots complete advanced training and follow all Federal Aviation Administration guidelines and regulations. AEP Ohio uses drones solely to inspect our equipment within our rights of way.
The fixed-wing drone enhances our capabilities, flying up to 400 feet, reaching speeds of 45 miles per hour and staying airborne for up to two hours while collecting critical data. That information helps crews make proactive repairs before outages occur. This year, the fixed-wing drone will travel roughly 8,000 miles of our distribution power lines, capturing images and data on vegetation within our rights of way.
The fixed-wing drone is supported by a mobile command center, where crews operate the aircraft autonomously while a certified pilot monitors each inspection remotely.
Traditional Drones
Every day, AEP Ohio’s drone teams are out in the field inspecting poles, wires and other critical equipment across our service territory. These multi-copter or traditional drones are used to inspect and repair 392 circuits as part of AEP Ohio’s commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable electric service. 
“All of our circuit inspections this year will be completed using drones,” Reed said. “The integration of drone technology has transformed our operations and increased efficiency and safety while providing high-quality data that guides maintenance and repair decisions.”
Improving Safety
Drone inspections reduce the need for field personnel to work at heights, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries, and allow large areas — especially challenging terrain — to be covered more quickly than with traditional methods.
As AEP Ohio continues expanding the use of tools such as AI image processing and lidar, these technologies are creating safer, faster and more cost-effective ways to detect issues, prevent outages and better serve customers.
Achieving Excellence
AEP Ohio’s leadership in drone technology was recognized in 2025 with the Aerial Achievement Award for Program Excellence, honoring the team’s innovation, safety practices and successful integration of advanced technology.
“The sky is the limit and we’re building on that momentum this year,” Reed said.
