By Joanne Tucker

In one of its latest technology adoptions, PG&E is mobilizing gas leak surveying technology through the utility’s fleet. The move will significantly reduce time typically spent surveying gas leaks by hand, and not to mention will improve the safety of its natural gas pipelines and of workers near the road, says Jason King, PG&E spokesperson.

The Tech

The system, called the Picarro Surveyor and created by Silicon-Valley based Picarro Inc. in collaboration with PG&E, underwent beta testing for nearly two years. The first surveyor launched into service in mid-July of this year, King says.

The vehicles are upfitted with an anemometer, which sticks out about 10 feet from atop the vehicle and measures wind speed; a stainless steel tube mounted on the front of the vehicle that vacuums in air; and a computerized surveyor in the trunk analyzing those molecules. An iPad fixed onto the dashboard displays to the driver — who’s driving at no more than 15 mph — if there’s a potential gas leak, and GPS helps to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

While surveying, the information is sent in real-time to Picarro’s headquarters and PG&E.

According to PG&E’s company blog, this system is the first gas surveying tool of its kind and that it’s “1,000 times more sensitive than traditional leak detection equipment.”

In the past, PG&E crews performed gas leak surveys on foot. “It’s a very arduous process,” King says.

Surveying done on foot can take up to a week to get field results back from the lab, but with the Picarro Surveyor, results come back in less than 10 minutes. The new system can determine in the field whether it’s a natural gas leak or naturally occurring methane gases. The surveyor also works further away from meters, meaning crew members can simply drive past homes to get readings.

As well, carrying out leak detection on foot was always a safety issue, so having crew members less exposed to traffic helps to reduce this risk. The increase in efficiency and accuracy also provides a new level of safety to PG&E’s gas lines. “We want to be able to survey our system more frequently so it’s operating more safely for our customers,” King says.”

One safety concern with the new equipment is due to the size of the anemometer and also the responsibilities of the driver while traveling at low speeds. King says all gas surveying drivers are sent to an additional training course for the vehicle and the technology at PG&E’s training facility in Livermore, Calif. “Obviously, the drivers have to be very diligent since they’re hugging the side of the road — whether it’s mailboxes or curbs — and then the height is also an issue, so that’s all part of the training,” he says.

The Outlook

Due to immediate success in saving time and finding leaks more accurately, PG&E will continue to roll the technology out to additional locations. Currently, the utility has six of these mobile gas surveyors put to use in California, including in Sacramento and Santa Rosa, and is currently adding it to vehicles in Hayward, Concord and Stockton.

The utility is so far using Ford Escape Hybrids and Chevrolet Volts to upfit the surveyors. King says using hybrids is important due to the driving style while surveying, but also to stay in line with PG&E’s overall fleet goals. “We always look for opportunities to green our fleet and these vehicles are one example,” he says.

King says that PG&E has received many phone calls from utility companies across the country asking about the technology. He says companies are more than welcome to reach out regarding the Picarro Surveyors by calling (415) 973-5930.

You can watch a video from PG&E on the Picarro Surveyor here.