(PAU) is seeking information on the availability of Unmanned Aircraft Systems to support linear infrastructure inspections. The UAS will be operated by PAU who has been contracted by Xcel Energy as their unmanned flight service provider and they plan to purchase a minimum of 4 aircraft initially with the possibility of additional aircraft in the future.
Xcel Energy, Inc. owns over 120,000 miles of transmission and distribution infrastructure across eight states (CO, MI, MN, NM, WI, ND, SD, TX) that must be inspected at regular intervals as required by state and federal regulations. Xcel Energy, Inc. is a utility holding company with a service company (Xcel Energy Services) and four wholly owned utility subsidiaries that serve electric and natural gas customers.
PAU was established in 2014 for commercial UAS operations. They are a sister company of Phoenix Air Group, Inc. (PAG) that is an FAA-certificated Part 135 operator with worldwide operating authority. PAG provides passenger service for U.S. and Allied Governments, worldwide air ambulance service and high priority air cargo service, including the transport of explosives and dangerous goods with a fleet of 50 plus aircraft (including Gulfstream, Learjet and Embraer aircraft).
In the coming years PAU plans to expand their fleet of certificated UAS to provide inspection services to other customers required to perform linear inspection services.
Source: Press Release