5 Reasons to Use Drone-Enhanced Solutions for Electric Infrastructure Inspections

5-minute read

In this article:

• Discover how drone-enhanced solutions are revolutionizing electric inspections.
• Learn five reasons why drone-enhanced solutions should be used in inspections.
• Explore Constellation Clearsight’s extensive drone-powered inspection solutions for transmission and distribution and generation.

With the advancement of technology, the inspection industry is being revolutionized as never before. The fast-paced innovations have paved the way for remarkable enhancements in efficiency, accuracy, and safety.

A prime example of this is the use of drones in the realm of electric infrastructure inspections. Drones, or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have significantly enhanced the way electric cooperatives, utilities, and power generators carry out infrastructure inspections. 

In this article, we will explore the top five reasons to use drone-powered solutions for electric infrastructure inspections and how they are changing energy management for the better.

1. Drones Increase Safety

Traditional inspection methods often involve personnel working at height, navigating difficult terrain, or entering hazardous environments. Drones drastically reduce these risks. With drones, inspectors can remain at a safe distance while the drone captures detailed data from the inspection site. For instance, drones are designed to safely navigate confined and complex spaces, including indoor generation facilities, eliminating the need for human entry in potentially dangerous conditions.

2. Drones Improve Efficiency

Drone inspections can significantly reduce the time taken to complete an inspection. Traditional methods, such as climbing or walking along lines, can be time-consuming. In contrast, drones can cover large areas quickly and with greater effectiveness. 

Related: Back to Basics: Electric Cooperatives, Wood Pole Inspections, and Data Management

Consider the inspection of wooden poles and electric lines. Drones have emerged as invaluable tools in this area, effortlessly navigating the infrastructure while swiftly capturing high-resolution images. This aerial approach surpasses the speed of ground-based inspections and even outperforms traditional helicopter assessments in forests and wooded terrains, as it uncovers minute details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

3. Drones Facilitate Higher Accuracy

The high-resolution imaging capabilities of drones allow for more accurate inspections. They can detect small faults or damage that might be missed by a human inspector and they can gain the best vantage points. Specific drones are designed for power generation plants and industrial facilities, and can closely inspect structures and deliver highly-detailed inspection data. Others are better suited for transmission and distribution networks. In both sectors, drones facilitate accurate, data-driven decision-making.

4. Drones Can Access Difficult Locations

Drones possess the remarkable capability to access areas that present challenges or are outright impossible for human inspectors. Under most circumstances, they effortly traverse over bodies of water, navigate treacherous and steep terrain, and meticulously examine towering structures, offering a level of flexibility that surpasses other inspection methods. 

Related: Emerging Tech, Best Practices in Wood Pole Inspections for Electric Cooperatives

Whether the task at hand involves inspecting a high-voltage transmission line or an industrial facility, drones can swiftly and safely reach their destinations, ensuring expedient and secure inspections.

5. Drones Support Predictive Maintenance

Drones play a pivotal role in capturing vast quantities of data, which can be leveraged through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to forecast forthcoming infrastructure issues. This proactive approach enables timely maintenance interventions, effectively mitigating the risk of expensive downtime and unforeseen failures.

By harnessing the power of data analytics, drones facilitate a paradigm shift towards proactive maintenance strategies that optimize operational efficiency and minimize disruptions.

Bottom Line

From increased safety to predictive maintenance, the benefits of using drones for electric infrastructure inspections are significant. Whether it’s a drone designed for inspecting wooden poles and wires or a specialized drone for power generation plants and industrial facilities, each offers unique advantages to enhance the inspection process.

At Constellation Clearsight, we harness the power of drone technology to provide top-tier inspection services. By adopting this innovative approach, we aim to revolutionize electric infrastructure inspections, delivering the highest level of safety, efficiency, and accuracy for the energy sector.