SEPT 27 & 28 2023

Anaheim Convention Center

SEPT 27 & 28 2023

Anaheim Convention Center

Eric Bitzko: Speaking at the Natural Disaster Expo California

Eric Bitzko

Firmatek

How Drones Can Expedite Power Restoration Safely and Efficiently After Natural Disasters

Mr. Bitzko is an innovator and early adopter of drones for use at electric utilities. He flew drones and assisted power restoration efforts during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Harvey was the first case where drones were used to assist a utility in restoring power by pulling a power line across flooded rivers in Texas. The seminar will illustrate how drones can and have been used to help utilities restore power safely and efficiently.

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About Eric Bitzko

Eric has over 15 years in the Electric Utility industry as a Journeyman Lineman. During his time while leading System Maintenance he founded the UAS program at the largest Electric Cooperative in the United States. Eric has been flying drones since the Section 333 days and has pioneered many of the techniques used in the Electric Utility industry to this day. Including utilizing drones for named storm response, flying conductor pull lines and building cyclic maintenance programs incorporating Engineering and Operations to improve overall system resilience and reliability. He has also represented the utility sector on Homeland Security Technology Committees as well as working on multiple Texas House Bills surrounding the use of UAS. Eric has also consulted with a variety of utilities in developing internal UAS programs.