Utility workers on Thursday showed off the drone technology New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are using to evaluate thousands of miles of power lines ahead of the snowy season.

The drones use high-resolution cameras to capture details of the electrical infrastructure.

“Using drones to gather aerial data is highly effective,” Paul Iannuzzelli, manager of networks standardization and maintenance for NYSEG and RG&E, said in a statement. “Drones can inspect electrical infrastructure that’s hard to access, such as high-voltage power lines or remote locations, without the need for scaffolding or other equipment. The process is also faster and safer than traditional inspection methods.”

Officials say the drones will help spot any physical damage, corrosion or other signs of deterioration that could lead to failures or outages.

The companies say they have been using drones to perform inspections since 2021.