Exploring the potential of remote sensing, digital tools and smart grids for ecological vegetation management in power line corridors

From the extraction of the raw materials needed for their construction to their dismantling, electrical networks can impact biodiversity. To counter these pressures, operators can for instance optimise routes to bypass sensitive natural areas, install bird-collision markers, secure nests on pylons, develop ecological vegetation management and underground power cables where relevant. While these measures require significant investment, the societal benefits— such as flood protection, carbon sequestration, and pollination—far outweigh the costs.

One of the primary obstacles to the widespread adoption of ecological vegetation management under power lines is successfully scaling up a strategy that must necessarily take local issues into account, as the appropriate protection measures will be specific to each site. Traditional field inventories would be impossible to generalize and repeat over time given the size of the network, making it hard to obtain a clear, dynamic picture of the ecological health of the network’s rights-of-way. Furthermore, grid operators often do not own the land beneath their lines, requiring individual agreements with numerous landowners.

The mobilisation of data and digital tools is transforming this landscape. Technologies like

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, and LiDAR (Light Detection and

Ranging) allow operators to map ecological corridors and habitats with unprecedented precision. By cross-referencing these maps with species inventories and grid locations, operators can identify high-stake areas where interventions are most needed. 1 Artificial Intelligence and Big Data play a central role by processing vast amounts of heterogeneous data to simulate predictive scenarios and support decision-making. For instance, sensors can monitor vegetation health, soil and water quality in real-time, while mobile apps enable participatory data collection from the field.

A key area of innovation is vegetation management. Digital tools can help with scaling up of

"ecological vegetation management." By combining LiDAR data, weather patterns, and machine learning, operators can optimise the frequency and surface area of vegetation cutting, and therefore the costs and certain impacts on biodiversity. Because these networks span entire countries with minimal soil sealing, they can serve as "green corridors," facilitating the movement of species and contributing to national ecological networks.

The alliance between power grids and biodiversity is increasingly driven by data. Continued research is essential to quantify the ecological gains of new practices and ensure they are compatible with grid security. Ultimately, digital tools provide the transparency and verification needed to meet regulatory requirements and demonstrate a concrete contribution to global nature restoration goals, ensuring that the path to net-zero is also a path toward a nature-positive future.