The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is utilizing a high-tech plane to protect its entire electricity grid, especially ahead of the severe weather season. TVA pilots annually fly a Tecnam P2012 SMP airplane equipped with multispectral and high-resolution cameras and Light Detection and Ranging, or LIDAR, system. The system can create a precise 3-D model of Earth’s surface and build a comprehensive picture of the area’s topography. The system offers such high resolution that it can zoom in on a single leaf on a nearby tree. This helps protect transmission lines, which are the backbone of the North Alabama power system. Without them, local utility companies, like Huntsville Utilities, can’t provide power to their customers. Reporting by Megan Plotka. #alabama #tva #severeweather #poweroutage #electricity #northalabama #emergencyresponse #emergencypreparedness