Elevating power generation: The era of drone-driven facility inspections

Sponsored by Skydio

The power generation landscape is at a pivotal juncture, with the integration of AI-powered technology marking a significant leap towards operational excellence fueled by the necessity to address expanding scope amid dwindling resources. Technology is paving the path toward condition-based maintenance (CBM), offering tools that set the stage for a truly modern approach to improving grid resiliency.

Decision-making challenges in utility asset management

Utilities must navigate a labyrinth of internal and external pressures:

Aging infrastructure: Legacy systems teeter on the brink of failure
Budget constraints: Every dollar spent on operations and maintenance (O&M) is under scrutiny
Resource constraints: Increasing demands clash with decreasing workforce numbers
Aging workforce: A generation of experts nears retirement, requiring knowledge transfer to a younger generation that is less inclined to stay at a utility for their entire career
Stakeholder expectations: The customer demand for safe, reliable, and affordable power meets the reality of investor ROI expectations
Regulatory pressure: Compliance is not optional in a world of mandatory audits
Climate impact: Increasing extreme weather events threaten grid reliability
Digital transformation: The push for tech adoption comes with its ambiguities

A paradigm shift in utility asset management

The compounding pressures both internally and externally mean every decision counts for utility leadership. While once the goal was only to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power, it seems every year mandates increase along with the pressure to do more with less… But how?

WATCH: The Journey to Condition Based Maintenance

Multiply your workforce

AI-powered drone solutions extend the capabilities of utility workforces, enabling easy access to hazardous or hard-to-reach areas – either because of location, like a remote solar farm, or the asset itself, such as a hydro dam – and providing real-time data for informed decision-making. From pilot-assisted flights to fully autonomous operations from docks, drones are reshaping how utilities approach asset health assessment.

By leveraging the comprehensive data collection capabilities of drones, utilities can now tailor maintenance to the actual condition of assets, allowing for more precise interventions and resource allocation. This approach not only extends the capabilities of the utility workforce but also ensures a more effective use of resources, addressing the critical challenge of an aging workforce and the need for knowledge transfer to a new generation.

AI-powered drone technology

Advanced drone technology solutions tailored for asset monitoring have emerged as a key solution among utility organizations investing in innovative technology. Autonomous drones are enabling remote/off-site inspections at the click of a mouse, providing a way to navigate the challenges of both data capture and digital asset management in a single, easy-to-use, and intuitive platform.

Highlighting real-world impact

The profound impact of drone technology on the energy sector is best illustrated through concrete examples:

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) became the first utility company in California to use remote drones for operations. PG&E’s remote drone program is focused on reliability and efficiency, utilizing drones to examine equipment and quickly identify issues.
Southern Company has obtained an FAA waiver allowing for drone inspections at its facilities without onsite personnel, enhancing efficiency and safety by enabling remote inspections from a control center and reducing the need for hazardous on-site evaluations.
American Electric Power (AEP) has demonstrated the value of drones in initial damage assessments, uncovering an imminent failure that could have led to significant downtime and costs. This proactive identification of issues underscores the potential of drones to enhance grid resilience.
ComEd Secured waivers from the FAA to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from drone docks, enabling safe, cost-effective on-site and on-demand surveillance capabilities, supporting grid performance and proactive problem identification to prevent power outages.
Dominion Energy uses drones across its operations for electric transmission operations, power generation inspections, and supporting operations at solar farms and construction sites.
New York Power Authority (NYPA): Approved the first phase of funding for a $37.2 million drone program aimed at improving safety, and efficiency, and advancing NYPA’s role in leading efforts to realize New York’s clean energy future.

From toys to tools: Drones reshaping the future

The evolution of drones from perceived toys to essential operational tools highlights their growing role in addressing utility challenges. These innovative solutions tackle issues from aging infrastructure to regulatory compliance, while also paving the way for a more proactive asset management approach. Drone technology powered by software offers tailored solutions to the complex decision-making challenges of today, while mitigating the challenges of tomorrow by providing utilities with the comprehensive data they need to make informed decisions about asset health in real-time.

Watch live: real-time substation inspection from 2,800 miles away.

Embracing technological innovation

The integration of remotely operated or fully automated drones into the power generation sector’s maintenance and inspection routines is more than an incremental change; it represents a leap toward future-ready operational excellence. As utilities continue to embrace drone technology, the path toward enhanced efficiency, safety, and reliability becomes clearer, heralding a new era of utility asset management.

About Skydio

Skydio develops innovative drone technologies that are helping transform and modernize the grid of the future. Through a deep partnership and understanding of the challenges faced by utilities, Skydio’s solutions facilitate a shift to condition-based maintenance, enabling utilities to make informed decisions about asset health in real time. Skydio empowers utilities to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risks, and achieve remarkable cost savings. By providing real-time, accurate data collection and analysis, Skydio is not just a technology provider but a partner in driving utility innovation and operational excellence.

Learn more about drone solutions for utility asset management or register for a LIVE virtual demonstration of Skydio Dock & Remote Ops.