Xcel Energy Announces a New Milestone for Drone Technology

FAA approves waiver to fly unmanned aircraft beyond line of sight

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#BVLOS–Xcel Energy, a leader in using drone technology to inspect energy
infrastructure, will be the first utility in the nation to routinely fly
unmanned aircraft beyond the operator’s line of sight when it begins
surveying transmission lines near Denver, Colorado.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it authorized
the flights. The FAA’s decision to allow these flights is unprecedented
in the utility industry.

“Xcel Energy is honored to be the first utility to conduct flights that
will enhance grid reliability and safety for our employees and the
public,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president, and CEO, Xcel Energy.
“With this groundbreaking decision, we are advancing the use of
technology that improves our efficiency and provides cost savings for
our customers.”

Starting this summer, the company will routinely operate drones beyond
visual line of the operator’s sight within a designated area
approximately 20 miles north of Denver International Airport. Licensed
pilots will remotely operate a small, unmanned helicopter weighing less
than 55 pounds. Xcel Energy will use advanced command-and-control
technology to ensure safe operations while it inspects transmission
lines.

To conduct the flights, the company is currently working with several
industry leaders including Harris Corporation, Northern Plains UAS Test
Site, Phoenix Air UNMANNED, LLC and Altus Intelligence. When the
transmission inspections are completed in the Denver area, Xcel Energy
will work with the FAA to extend our beyond line-of-sight operations in
other states where the company provides electric service.

For several years, Xcel Energy has been collaborating with the FAA to
develop operational and safety requirements for unmanned aircraft
operations in the utility industry. Most recently, in January 2017, Xcel
Energy entered into a Partnership for Safety Program (PSP) with the FAA
to operate drones for power line inspections within visual sight of
operators. The work demonstrated how unmanned aircraft improve
productivity and safety as the technology allows for inspections to be
completed without the use of trucks, helicopters or other utility
equipment. Xcel Energy inspects more than 320,000 miles of electricity
and natural gas infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of
its energy system.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the
energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western
and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an
industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing
and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable
sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com
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Contacts

Xcel Energy
Media Relations, 612-215-5300
www.xcelenergy.com