New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are turning to data science and artificial intelligence to help combat the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) — a destructive beetle responsible for killing ash trees and causing power outages across New York State.
“The Emerald Ash Borer has created significant mortality among ash trees in New York, resulting in a large rate of power disruptions,” said Mark Waclawiak, senior manager of operational performance. “To combat this, we are using data analytics to improve customer reliability by guiding our vegetation management teams to be more effective. We are working with local universities to tackle these challenges so we can create a more reliable grid for customers.”
The EAB, a wood-burrowing beetle native to Asia, lays its eggs in ash tree bark. The larvae feed beneath the surface, cutting off the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients — eventually killing it. Dead or dying trees near power lines can fall and cause service interruptions, making the insect a growing threat to electrical reliability statewide.
To address the issue, NYSEG and RG&E are partnering with the University of Rochester’s Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to analyze ash tree location data, historical outage information, and infrastructure maps. This data-driven approach helps identify high-risk areas where EAB-infested trees are most likely to cause power outages.
Once risk areas are identified, vegetation management teams prioritize the removal of hazardous trees near utility rights-of-way. The companies are also collaborating with the Operational Performance Group at Avangrid, their parent company, to apply predictive analytics that optimize vegetation management and strengthen the electric grid.
Ajay Anand, PhD, professor and deputy director of the Goergen Institute, said the partnership allows students to apply advanced machine learning to a real-world problem. “This initiative has the potential to develop novel solutions to safeguard and enhance electric grid reliability throughout the region,” Anand said.
Customers can also help limit the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer by purchasing local or certified heat-treated firewood, since moving untreated wood can spread invasive pests.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages residents who suspect EAB activity to take photos of the insect or damage and email them to [email protected], including the location.
EAB adults are metallic green, about half an inch long, with a coppery-red abdomen — small but capable of causing major damage to New York’s forests and infrastructure.
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