Why Idaho Power Installed Lasers at a Jerome ID Substation

Continuous Efforts in Grid Maintenance

Keeping the power flowing to the State of Idaho is no easy task. Not only are there a myriad of technical issues that can arise, but sometimes nature can interfere maintaining the electrical grid. Birds, in particular, present a unique obstacle and Idaho Power is deploying a solution that's both innovative and humane.

Nesting Birds Often Disrupt Power Distribution. 

Birds will often choose to nest within and around electrical substations, which can lead to regular power disruptions and outages. These incidents occur due to the accumulation of nesting materials, the risk of larger birds coming into contact with live electrical components, and the potential for predators to cause short circuits while chasing prey.

Innovative Solutions: Laser Technology

Idaho Power has implemented an innovative solution at the Midpoint Substation, located north of Jerome, Idaho. The company has installed six lasers designed to humanely deter pigeons from nesting within critical infrastructure. The green laser beams, visible even from outside the substation premises, effectively prevent birds from settling in areas where they could cause damage or outages.

Ensuring Safety and Efficiency

The lasers and mounted on poles approximately 25 feet off the ground, and project a grid pattern around sensitive components, and safety blinds are put into place that prevent any interference with aircraft. The laser technology is harmless to the birds, merely discouraging them from nesting or loitering in areas that could lead to equipment damage or service interruptions.

A Growing Trend in Utility Management

The use of lasers as a bird deterrent is gaining popularity among utility providers across the United States. Idaho Power itself has another laser installation in a western Idaho substation, though it is less visible to the public. This is just one example of modern technology being deployed in industry. Lasers are being used in agriculture to help remove weeds that are too small for human extraction. Lasers are being used to zap insects like mosquitos to prevent the spread of deadly diseases, and drones are being deployed in greenhouses as an alternative to insecticides to keep pests from damaging crops.